How to Make Juicy & Tender Turkey With Crispy Skin

Preparing for the holidays can be a difficult task, especially if you’re feeding a crowd, and it’s very important to choose the right dishes to serve as this will determine the success of your party. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, one thing that you should never skip out on is making a delicious Turkey that the whole family can share. This recipe by Cooking with Kiana is one of my go-to because it makes the turkey taste so good and the meat very tender and oozing with flavorful juice.

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Guaranteed this will have no leftover and you’ll end up with clean plates, so try this make-ahead holiday recipe now, and you won’t regret it. This is a recipe that beginner cooks can make and their guests will surely be impressed, prepare this hassle-free the night before, and bake it the next day. While you’re waiting for the turkey to cook, you can still make your appetizers, main dishes, and desserts for the event.

Ingredients for Baked Turkey:

• 10 pounds of turkey

Herb Butter

• 1 cup of salted butter, softened
• ½ cup of freshly chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp of garlic paste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Dry Rub

• 1 tbsp of adobo seasoning
• 2 tbsp of Montreal chicken seasoning
• 1 tbsp of smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp of onion powder
• 2 tbsp of garlic powder
• 2 tsp of black pepper
• 2 tsp of rubbed sage

Stuffing

• 4 sprigs of thyme
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 4 sprigs of sage
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 1 whole garlic

Veggies

• 2 stalks of celery, sliced
• 1 large carrot
• 1 onion

How to Make Baked Turkey

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, add the softened butter, garlic paste, Italian seasoning, freshly chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper, then mix everything together using a fork until incorproated, and set it aside. In a plate or bowl, whisk all of the dry rub ingredients together until uniform, then clean and prepare the turkey, and pat it dry. Rub and smother the butter mixture all over the exterior of the turkey, then lift the skin and put it underneath as well, and rub the remaining butter on the inside of the meat.

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Step 2

Sprinkle the dry rub seasoning all over the exterior, underneath the skin, and lightly on the inside, then mix some of the seasoning with water on a separate cup, and inject it to the turkey using a meat injector. Place the seasoned turkey to a large container, then cover it with the lid, and set it aside in the fridge overnight to marinate. In the next morning, take the turkey out of the fridge, then stuff it with thyme, rosemary, sage, lemon wedges, orange wedges, onion wedges, and whole garlic.

Step 3

Tie the legs of the turkey as shown in the video, then add some flour to a turkey plastic bag, and give it a good shake. Add the celery, carrot, and onion to the bottom of the bag, then place the seasoned and stuffed turkey, and seal the bag nicely. Cut some slits along the top of the bag, then put in a preheated oven at 350°F, and allow it to cook for at least 3 hours or until tender. Add 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time per pound if the turkey’s weight is heavier than 10 pounds. Once done baking, baste the turkey with its own juice, then transfer it to a serving dish, and serve. Enjoy!

*All these images are credited to Cooking with Kiana via YouTube. Give her channel a visit and subscribe for more!

How to Make Juicy & Tender Turkey With Crispy Skin