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Roasted turkey on tray garnished with red grapes, figs, kumquat, and herbs over white background

High Heat Roasted Turkey Recipe

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Discover the time-saving secret that changed Thanksgiving cooking forever. This high heat roast turkey recipe delivers golden, crispy skin and incredibly moist meat in just 3 hours and 15 minutes by roasting at 450°F instead of the traditional low temperature method. Perfect for busy holiday cooks who want restaurant-quality results without hours of basting or complicated techniques, this straightforward recipe requires just three ingredients and produces a 20-pound bird that’s tender, flavorful, and impressive enough to be your centerpiece. The strategic foil tenting method prevents over-browning while the high heat creates natural moisture, giving you more time to focus on side dishes and family.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 25 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (20 pounds), thawed if frozen
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 450°F. Prepare turkey for roasting as directed.
    Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching. Rub both cavities lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert oven-proof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh muscle and does not touch bone. (Do not add water or cover turkey.)
  3. Place turkey in oven with legs to the back of the oven to place them in hottest part of oven, if possible. Since the legs take longer to cook than the breast, this places them in hotter part of oven.
  4. Roast uncovered 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes, watching carefully. After roasting about 1 hour, place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over turkey when it begins to turn golden. When 2/3 done, cut band of skin or remove the turkey-holder that holds legs or the drumstick bone to allow inside of thighs to cook thoroughly.
  5. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 180°F and juice of turkey is no longer pink when you cut into center of thigh. The drumstick should move easily when lifted or twisted. If a meat thermometer is not used, begin testing for doneness after about 2 hours 15 minutes. When turkey is done, place on warm platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.

Equipment

Notes

  • Clean your oven beforehand, if needed, to keep it from smoking while cooking at high temperature.
  • Wear long oven mitts and be watchful of splattering when checking on turkey.
  • Place turkey in oven with legs to the back of the oven if possible. Since the legs take longer to cook than the breast, this places them in hotter part of oven.
  • Author: Melle Sullivan - Recipe Rewind
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Category: poultry, thanksgiving
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 275
  • Sodium: 190mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Fiber: og
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg

Find it online: https://recipe-rewind.com/high-heat-roasted-thanksgiving-turkey/

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