Roast Turkey

• Start by washing your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Wash your cutting boards and counter tops with hot soapy water. Preheat oven to 425 °F.
• After removing the turkey from its packaging, do not wash the turkey! Washing raw poultry can spread bacteria around the sink and other surfaces.
• Remove neck and giblets packet, and reserve them for making stock or gravy. Free legs from clamp. Gently pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
• Season inside with a 1⁄2 tablespoon salt and 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper. For added flavor, fill the cavity with aromatics such as an orange, cut in half, a quartered onion and/or fresh thyme or sage.
• To allow the turkey to roast more quickly and evenly, plan to cook your stuffing recipe in a separate pan.
• Secure legs in clamp and tuck wing tips under. Place turkey, breast side up on V-rack set inside a two-inch deep roasting pan. Wash hands after handling the raw turkey.
• Use the chart to determine estimated cooking time for your bird. Cooking time will vary by size of bird and function of your oven. Transfer pan to the oven. Cover breast with aluminum foil and roast one hour.
• After one hour, remove the foil and reduce oven temperature to 325 oF. Continue roasting based on the cooking times chart. Use a food thermometer and check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature when it reaches 165 °F in all places checked. If the bird has not reached 165 oF, return it to the oven. Wash the food thermometer probe section with hot soapy water. Then test again every ten minutes until the turkey reaches 165 oF.
• Once cooked to 165 oF, remove turkey from the oven. Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. If you wish, reserve the turkey drippings to make gravy. Use or freeze leftover turkey within 3-4 days.

APPROXIMATE COOKING TIMES

• for whole, unstuffed turkey (325 °F oven temperature). Remember, you must use a food thermometer to know if your turkey is cooked for safety and quality.
  

Tip

• When selecting your turkey, allow 1 pound of turkey per person. Opt for a fresh turkey when possible. If frozen, allow turkey to thaw for several days in the refrigerator allowing one day for every four pounds of turkey. Place the turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator on a rimmed baking pan to contain any juices.