Oven-Roasted Turkey

By dhayes386

Don't let the simplicity of this Oven-Roasted Turkey recipe fool you, it produces a juicy succulent turkey for all to enjoy! My good friend gave me the recipe a couple of years ago, and I've used it every Thanksgiving since.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (14-pound) turkey, giblets removed, washed and dried
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Fresh thyme, for garnish

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 50mins
Cooking time 230mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle some of the spice rub inside the cavity of the turkey.

Separate the skin from the breast meat with your fingers, starting at the top of the breast and sliding to the right and left, then working down. Massage some of the rub onto the meat under the skin. Sprinkle the remaining rub on the turkey's skin. Place the turkey on a sheet tray and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours so the flavors can marry.

Set a rack at the lowest position in the oven and preheat to 325°F. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature. Tie the legs together and tuck the wing tips under. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Drizzle the outside of the turkey with a few tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey about 3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F. Transfer the turkey to a platter, cover loosely with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving.