The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Easy Turkey Brine and Roast Turkey recipe is succulent, juicy, and cooked to golden-brown perfection. This turkey has so much flavor, and it will be the star of your Thanksgiving table.
It costs about $17.00 to make this turkey recipe. The recipe makes twelve servings, which works out to be just $1.42 per serving.
For a complete guide to help you plan Thanksgiving, be sure to download our FREE Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Guide.
And don’t forget about what to do the day after Thanksgiving with all the leftover turkey. Make these Leftover Turkey Sandwiches or this Turkey Barley Soup.
Sometimes cooking a turkey can be a little intimidating. But, it is the star of the show, and we all want it to be perfect! Our recipe has simple step-by-step directions that will guide you through ensuring you have a juicy, tender, and flavorful turkey for the big day.
Our best advice when cooking a turkey is to plan accordingly, which reduces most of the stress. First, give yourself enough time to defrost the turkey if it is frozen, and then give yourself enough time to brine the turkey. The secret for a moist turkey is in the brine, so you do not want to cut corners on this step.
The lemon butter mixture you will rub on the turkey will help create a perfectly brown skin while roasting. In addition, the lemon adds flavor everyone will enjoy.
Whether you are a first-timer with cooking a turkey or have been doing it for years looking for a new recipe, this easy, fail-proof Roasted Turkey recipe will be one you will use year after year.
Ingredients & Cost:
- 1 cup Morton Table Salt – $0.48
- 2 gallons cold water – $0.00
- 1 cup lemon juice – $1.04
- 10 pound turkey – $14.80
- 6 Tablespoons butter – $0.60
- 2 Tablespoons lemon zest – $0.08
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, brine the turkey and put it in the fridge for up to 14 hours.
- Next, preheat the oven. Remove the turkey from the brine.
- Place the turkey’s wing tips behind its back, and tuck the drumstick tips into the skin of the tail area.
- Brush the turkey with the butter mixture and season with salt and pepper.
- Once the oven is preheated, place the turkey in the oven and roast for 45 minutes for a 10-16 pound turkey, and 60 minutes for a 16-20 pound turkey.
- Take the turkey out of the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. To flip the turkey, breast side up, use heat resistant oven mitts or clean kitchen towels to carefully turn the turkey in this direction. Place the now flipped turkey back into the oven and continue to roast this side until the thickest part of the breast reaches 160-165 degrees F.
- Let the turkey rest for thirty minutes before carving and serving.
STORAGE TIPS
Serve: You can leave the turkey out for about two hours before it needs to be refrigerated.
Store: Cover and store the turkey in the refrigerator for 5-6 days.
Freeze: Spread the turkey on a cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze for 1 hour. Then, transfer the turkey to a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for about two months.
COOK’S TOOLS
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- large stockpot or 5-gallon brining bucket
- roasting pan with rack
- measuring cup
- potholders
- carving board
- turkey carving tools
- turkey serving platter
RECIPE FAQs
Roasting a turkey takes about three hours in the oven. The time will vary slightly depending on the size of your turkey and your oven. However, generally speaking, it is wise to plan on about three hours.
Our recipe does not require you to cover the turkey when you cook it. Soaking the bird for ten to fourteen hours and covering it in lemon butter before roasting will help lock the moisture into the turkey yielding a moist turkey for eating. Therefore, covering the turkey is not needed.
Yes, if you are that prepared and organized, we are super impressed and want to know your secrets! For example, you can butter the turkey the night before, season with salt and pepper, and place it in the fridge. Then, the next day, remove the turkey from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven to roast.
GET KIDS INVOLVED
Ages 2-3: Have your child help brush on the melted butter and lemon zest. This is an excellent opportunity to teach young kids kitchen safety on handling raw meat. Teach concepts such as not eating raw meat and washing your hands well before and after handling raw meat.
Ages 4-5: Let your child pre-measure the brine ingredients. They can help make the butter mixture and stir the salt until it is dissolved in the water.
Ages 6-8: Use the opportunity to teach some math concepts with this recipe. You can teach how many cups are in a pint, quart, and gallon as they fill the bucket with two gallons of water.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
BUDGET TIPS
Look for a turkey early in the season when they are on sale and put it in your freezer until you are ready to use it. Some stores will even offer a free turkey every so often, so keep your eyes out for those coupons!
MORE HOLIDAY RECIPES
- 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Asparagus in the Oven
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Cranberry Party Punch
- Easy Orange Cranberry Sauce
- French-Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Green Beans Almondine
- Jenna’s Naughty Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Pretzel Turkey Treats
Easy Turkey Brine and Roast Turkey
Equipment
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- large stockpot or 5-gallon brining bucket
- roasting pan with rack
- measuring cup
- potholders
- carving board
- turkey carving tools
- turkey serving platter
Ingredients
TURKEY BRINE:
- 1 cup Morton Table Salt
- 2 gallons cold water
- 1 cup lemon juice
ROAST TURKEY:
- 10-20 pound turkey thawed
- 6 Tablespoon butter cut into 6 pieces
- 2 Tablespoons lemon zest
- salt and pepper
Instructions
BRINE THE TURKEY:
- Pour 1 cup of table salt in the bottom of a large stockpot or clean plastic bucket. Add the water and lemon juice and stir until the salt is dissolved.
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey, discard or reserve to use later. Rinse the turkey under cold running water.
- Place the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 10-14 hours.
ROAST THE TURKEY:
- One hour before you’re ready to roast the turkey, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F for a 10-16 pound turkey and 425 degrees F for a 16-20 pound turkey. Adjust the oven rack to the lowest position. Inside a large roasting pan, place a V-roasting rack in the center of the pan.
- On High Power and in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and lemon zest in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir and then continue to heat at 10-second increments until completely melted and set aside.
- Remove the turkey from the brine, and be sure to rinse under cold water. Place the turkey’s wingtips behind its back, and tuck the drumstick tips into the skin of the tail area.
- Use a pastry brush to coat the entire turkey with the melted butter mixture and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Once the oven is preheated, place the turkey in the oven and roast for 45 minutes for a 10-16 pound turkey and 60 minutes for a 16-20 pound turkey.
- Take the turkey out of the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
- To flip the turkey, breast side up, use heat-resistant oven mitts or clean kitchen towels to turn the turkey in this direction carefully. Next, place the now flipped turkey back into the oven and continue to roast this side until the thickest part of the breast reaches 160-165 degrees F. This will take about 1 hour for 10-16 pound turkeys and 1.5 hours for 16-18 pound turkeys and 2 hours for 18-20 pound turkeys.
- Take the turkey out of the oven. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes, and then place it on a large cutting board to carve and enjoy!
Artney says
This looks absolutely delicious! Mouthwatering! The steps are super easy to follow too. Great for gatherings as well as the holidays!
Nathan says
I’ve never had to roast a turkey myself, but this is such a great recipe for when that day inevitably comes! You’re right that it’s pretty intimidating, but I feel better off with these tips 🙂
Kristen says
This is the best way to make a turkey! Such a good recipe. Thank you so much!
Sara Welch says
What a beautiful looking bird! Definitely saving this for Thanksgiving; looks too good to pass up, indeed!
Matt says
Roasting a turkey always seems super daunting. But this method makes it easy! Definitely a fan of brining it ahead of time for the best flavor and juiciness.
Biana says
This turkey looks perfect! What a great Thanksgiving recipe.
Heather Perine says
Was looking for an easy, delicious brine recipe for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to brine my turkey!
Jamie says
I love how simple and easy the brine is! Definitely saving this for Thanksgiving time!
Caroline says
I’ve still never tried brining turkey, but this looks so tasty!
maryanne says
This sounds so easy and delicious! I am going to give this a try this year!