How To Bake A Turkey In The Oven

The question that scares new cooks and even some veteran cooks during the holiday season is how to cook a turkey in the oven. Now, let me say, if you are a newer cook, it is way easier than you are making it out to be in your head. There is little prep work or actual work; the worst part is waiting for it to be done.

Now, the first time you make a turkey dinner, it can seem intimidating, but planning out the side dishes and making as many as you can ahead of time helps with the stress level. One secret trick is to group the ingredients a day ahead of time; this helps if you are out of an ingredient. (We had a yellow mustard shortage in 2021 that got caught a couple of days before Christmas)

Oven Roasted Turkey Ingredients

• Turkey
• Johnny’s Seasoning Salt– any seasoning salt will work
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Garlic Powder

This is my All Purpose seasoning that I use on my turkey and most my food.

Do you rinse a turkey before cooking

Now my daughter did ask me if you should wash a turkey before cooking; I will be honest, I used to all the time. However, the US Department of Agriculture recommends not washing your turkey!

Whether you wash or don’t wash your turkey, remember to sanitize your sink before and after. And wash your hands anytime you come in contact with the turkey blood.

how to Make Turkey

Thaw your turkey. I thaw mine in my extra fridge in the garage. 

See the US Department of Agriculture guide for food-safe ways to thaw a turkey. Maintaining food-safe temperatures is essential to avoid food-borne illness.

Pull out your roasting pan and a turkey bag. You will want to have the roasting racks in the pan to rest the turkey. I spray the pan and the rack with nonstick spray or give them a quick oil rub to prevent any turkey drippings from burning to the pan.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Place the innards on a platter or a cookie sheet, and remove the innards from your turkey. If this is something you haven’t done before, the turkey will have a turkey neck, giblets, and sometimes a pack of gravy.

Rub down the turkey with soft butter or oil.

In a bowl, combine all of your seasonings for the turkey.

Sprinkle the buttered bird with the seasoning and then transfer it into a turkey bag.

Place the bagged turkey into the roasting racks and apply the tie at the end of the bag.

Take a small steak knife or kitchen scissors and make small incisions in the bag for ventilation.

Place in the oven and bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees. I tested mine with a Thermoworks thermometer.

Remove and serve!

Serving Tip: Cut the bag open and place the turkey in it and on the roasting rack. This will contain all the juices and make cleaning up easier, as everything is in a bag.

Cleanup Tip: If you are not using the carcass for soup, trust me, it’s incredible in Turkey Noodle Soup, and the weather is cooler. After you are done, take the pan out side. The grease will harden up, and then you can throw it away and quickly scrape the pan. I always wash the pan the next day; the dishwasher usually is full of the other dinner dishes.

how long to cook turkey in oven

Now, there isn’t always a magical one-minute answer to the age-old question, “How long do you cook a turkey?” (I always Google this every time I make a turkey.) These are common guidelines, but the most important thing is to test it several times to verify that it has reached 165 degrees or higher everywhere.

• At 350 degrees for an unstuffed turkey, you will cook your unstuffed turkey for about 13 minutes per pound and a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound.
• At 325 degrees for an unstuffed turkey, you will cook your unstuffed turkey for about 13 minutes per pound and a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound.

How To Store Leftover Turkey

Once the leftover turkey is cooled, store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to five days. You can freeze leftover turkey for up to three months in an airtight container to freezer bag.

Storing leftovers properly requires the right tools! My preferred storage method is if the leftovers can be sealed in a food saver. If not, then an air-tight container or Ziploc bag for the fridge is the way I go. The airtight container or a freezer Ziploc bag are the next best bet for freezing the leftovers. I also use a food scale to measure portions into serving sizes.

Alternative Seasonings

• Chicago Steak Seasoning
• Kansas City Steak Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning
• Dano Seasoning
• Homemade Herb and Spice Blend
• Brine Balls– use code CEG to save 10%
• Turkey Brine Kits
• Homemade Turkey Brine

What To Serve With Turkey

Side dishes, I mean, can make or break the meal. Personally, nothing beats turkey dipped into mashed potatoes for a holiday meal! You can see all my Holiday Side Dishes -> here.

Bread: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread, Garlic Parmesan Bisucti Pull Part Bread, English Muffin Garlic Cheese Bread, Easy Cheesy Monkey Bread, Corn Bread

Side Dishes: Air Fryer Bacon Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes, Air Fryer Brussell Sprouts, Green Beans, Ceasar Salad, Acorn Squash, Green Salad, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Desserts-Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, Crescent Roll Peach Dumplings, 2 Ingredient Strawberry Cake, 2 Ingredient Cherry Cake, 2 Ingredient Blueberry Angel Food Cake, 2 Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake, 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars, Watermelon Feta Salad, Oreo Fluff, Pink Fluff, Shark Sand Cups, Funfetti Cake Dip, No Bake Dessert Recipes

Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

The possibilities are endless for Turkey Chili, Turkey Pot Pie, Turkey Soups, Turkey sandwiches, and Turkey Casseroles! See all my favorite-> Leftover Turkey Recipes!

• Turkey Noodle Soup
• Turkey Shepherd Pie
• Easy Turkey Pot Pie