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Roast Turkey in an Electric Roaster

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Servings: 20

Equipment

  • Electric roaster

Ingredients

  • 18 lb whole turkey
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 2 tbsp freshly snipped thyme, rosemary, and sage
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the cavity:

  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Make the herb butter:

  • Mix together 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick) with the freshly snipped herbs. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but remove from fridge 1 hour before using so that it is soft enough to spread.

Prepare the turkey:

  • Set the roaster oven (with the lid on) to the highest temperature available.
  • Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity. (Set aside for giblet gravy or discard.)
  • Dry off the turkey with paper towels.
  • Loosen the skin over the turkey breast by sliding your hand between the meat and skin. Rub half of the butter mix underneath the skin of the breast.
  • Rub the other half of the butter over the outside of the bird.
  • Sprinkle the outside of the bird with salt and pepper.
  • Put 1/4 cup butter in the cavity of the turkey along with 1 tsp each of salt and pepper.
  • Place the turkey in the preheated roaster and cook at the highest temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Without opening the lid, turn down the temperature to 325 degrees and roast until the turkey tests done (at least 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh).
  • The exact timing will depend on whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed and how large the turkey is. Plan for about 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.