Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey, and let’s face it, cooking the Thanksgiving turkey can feel like a monumental task. But what if you could achieve a flawlessly roasted, incredibly juicy, and utterly delicious turkey with minimal stress? Enter the Pioneer Woman Roasted Turkey recipe – a tried-and-true method that promises to make you the star of your holiday feast. This recipe, celebrated for its simplicity and flavor, utilizes a slow cooking technique combined with an herb butter rub, ensuring a bird that’s beautifully browned and bursting with flavor. Get ready to impress your guests with this unforgettable Thanksgiving centerpiece!
Close-up of a golden brown Pioneer Woman roasted turkey, garnished with herbs and orange slices, ready to be served for Thanksgiving dinner
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Roasted Turkey
This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, requiring just a handful of ingredients to create a truly spectacular Thanksgiving turkey. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 20 lb turkey, fully thawed
- 1 orange
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pioneer Woman Roasted Turkey
Follow these simple steps to create a Pioneer Woman roasted turkey that will be the highlight of your Thanksgiving meal:
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Preheat the Oven and Prep the Turkey: Begin by preheating your oven to a low 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius). While the oven is heating, prepare your turkey. Pat the thawed turkey thoroughly dry with paper towels. Place it breast side up on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan. Cross the legs of the turkey and tie them together securely with kitchen twine.
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Initial Slow Roasting: Cover the entire roasting pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring it’s tucked underneath the pan to create a sealed environment. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes per pound. For a 20-pound turkey, this initial roasting stage will take about 3 1/2 hours.
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Prepare the Herb Butter Rub: While the turkey is in its first roasting stage, prepare the flavorful herb butter rub. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully shave thick slices of orange peel from the orange. Slice these orange peel strips into very thin pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced rosemary leaves, thinly sliced orange peel, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together until well combined, creating a fragrant and flavorful butter mixture.
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Apply the Herb Butter and Continue Roasting: After the initial roasting time is complete, carefully remove the turkey from the oven. Remove and discard the aluminum foil – at this stage, the turkey will still appear pale. Generously smear the prepared herb butter mixture all over the turkey skin. Ensure you cover every part of the skin, getting into crevices and ensuring the turkey is completely coated with the flavorful butter.
Image showing hands smearing herb butter all over the turkey skin, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor -
Increase Oven Temperature and Baste: Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Return the butter-rubbed turkey to the oven. Begin basting the turkey with the pan juices every 30 minutes. This basting process is crucial for keeping the turkey moist and enhancing the golden-brown color of the skin.
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Final Roasting and Temperature Check: Continue roasting the turkey until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 165 to 168 degrees Fahrenheit (74 to 75 degrees Celsius). For a 20-pound turkey, this final roasting stage will take approximately 2 1/2 more hours. Once the turkey reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest before carving.
Image of a roasted turkey in the oven, beautifully browned and sizzling, during the final roasting stage -
Carve and Serve: Allow the roasted Pioneer Woman turkey to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey. After resting, carve your magnificent Pioneer Woman roasted turkey and serve to your delighted Thanksgiving guests!
Image of a perfectly carved roasted turkey on a platter, garnished with rosemary and orange slices, ready to be served
Tips and Notes for the Best Pioneer Woman Roasted Turkey
- Brining: If you choose to brine your turkey, remember to rinse it thoroughly under cold water before beginning the recipe. For an extra measure to remove saltiness after brining, submerge the turkey in a sink filled with fresh cold water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Adjusting Turkey Size: The original recipe is designed for a 20-pound turkey. If you are cooking a smaller or larger bird, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Maintain the initial roasting time of 10 minutes per pound.
- Serving Suggestion: For an elegant presentation, place the carved roasted turkey on a decorative platter. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices for visual appeal. Consider stuffing the turkey with your favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipe for a complete holiday meal.
Enjoy creating this Pioneer Woman Roasted Turkey and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
