Turkey is delicious and always welcome in this house. Luckily, this time of year is the best time to stock up to fill your freezer inexpensively. Whether you’re in charge of preparing Thanksgiving dinner this year or simply want to save money on your grocery budget this fall, this is the easiest way to cook a whole turkey in the oven for every occasion.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

[bctt tweet=”With this recipe for the easiest way to cook a whole turkey you’re free to concentrate on your friends and family over great food and better conversation.” username=”diyadulation”]

The first year I cooked a whole turkey, it wasn’t actually for Thanksgiving dinner. It was because they were on sale and a great way to save money on our grocery budget.

The great thing about it was that there wasn’t any pressure. I was out $10 if it didn’t turn out and we might have to re-heat some leftovers. That made the entire event laid back and easy. Even better, the turkey turned out great.

I’ve been using this recipe ever since, including when we did host Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll have a delicious, crowd-pleasing bird with a quarter of the effort when you serve this amazing turkey recipe.

 

Ingredients

• Whole Turkey (Defrosted)
• 1 Stick of Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Rosemary
• Dash of Salt and Pepper
• Stuffing

Note: You will also need a turkey sized oven bag.

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350º Fahrenheit.

Step 2

First, remove your turkey from the packaging and then remove the organs pouch and neck from inside of the turkey.

Note:

I don’t eat the gizzards so I toss them. If you want to prepare them, here is a recipe for you to try.

Step 3

Next, carefully free the legs of your turkey and slide your hand between the meat and the skin to separate it.

Step 4

Once your skin is separated, cut your stick of butter into slices and slide them between the skin and the meat of your turkey.

Step 5

Then, re-truss the legs of your turkey as they were before.

Step 6

Next, stuff your turkey with this super easy stuffing recipe. Don’t worry if it all doesn’t fit inside of the turkey cavity. The trussed legs form a ‘bowl’ to hold the excess.

Step 7

Lastly, cover the outside of your turkey with dried rosemary and top with a dash of salt and pepper.

Step 8

Prepare your oven bag by shaking flour inside of it (it doesn’t take much). Be sure to dump out the excess.

Step 9

Carefully, place your stuffed and seasoned turkey inside the oven bag and place in a roasting pan.

Step 10

After your turkey is in the pan, close your bag and cut a few slits in the top of the bag.

Step 11

Bake your turkey according to the weight. (You can find this on the instructions in the box of oven bags.)

Tip:

Most turkeys will take a minimum of 3 hours to cook so plan your schedule accordingly.

 

Step 12

Once your turkey is baked, scoop out the stuffing into a serving bowl before carving.

Step 13

All that’s left is to carve your turkey and serve!

 

With this recipe for the easiest way to cook a whole turkey in the oven there’s no need to worry about the big meal. It leaves you free to concentrate on your friends and family over great food and even better conversation. Don’t forget to check out my crazy easy stuffing recipe and come back later this week to find out how to make your own turkey gravy out of the pan drippings. (No need to worry, it’s another super simple recipe.)

 

Easiest Way to Cook a Whole Turkey in the Oven

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

• Whole Turkey (Defrosted)
• 1 Stick of Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Rosemary
• Dash of Salt and Pepper
• Stuffing

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
2. First, remove your turkey from the packaging and then remove the organs pouch and neck from inside of the turkey.
3. Next, carefully free the legs of your turkey and slide your hand between the meat and the skin to separate it.
4. Once your skin is separated, cut your stick of butter into slices and slide them between the skin and the meat of your turkey.
5. Then, re-truss the legs of your turkey as they were before.
6. Next, stuff your turkey with this super easy stuffing recipe. Don’t worry if it all doesn’t fit inside of the turkey cavity. The trussed legs form a ‘bowl’ to hold the excess.
7. Lastly, cover the outside of your turkey with dried rosemary and top with a dash of salt and pepper.
8. Prepare your oven bag by shaking flour inside of it (it doesn’t take much). Be sure to dump out the excess.
9. Carefully, place your stuffed and seasoned turkey inside the oven bag and place in a roasting pan.
10. After your turkey is in the pan, close your bag and cut a few slits in the top of the bag.
11. Bake your turkey according to the weight. (You can find this on the instructions in the box of oven bags.)
12. Once your turkey is baked, scoop out the stuffing into a serving bowl before carving.

Notes

Your cook time will vary depending on the size of your turkey.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

 

More Ideas You’ll Love:

• Super Easy Homemade Stuffing Recipe
• Low Calorie Whipped Pumpkin Pie
• Rich and Decadent Sauteed Portobello Mushrooms Recipe
• Not Your Mom’s Green Bean Casserole – Made in a Day