Thyme and Garlic Roast Turkey
Ingredients:
- 18 lb fresh or frozen turkey (thawed)
- 1⁄2 cup olive oil
- 1⁄3 cup finely chopped fresh thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Line a roasting pan with foil; set rack in pan.
- Remove giblets from turkey; rinse turkey inside and out with cool water. Place turkey, breast-side up, on rack and pat dry with paper towels.
- Combine oil, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Gently loosen skin from breast meat, and rub herb mixture under skin and over turkey.
- Place lemon and onion pieces in turkey cavity. Tie legs together with heavy kitchen twine. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 3 hours.
- Uncover, and bake 1 hour longer or until a thermometer inserted in meaty part of thigh and breast reaches 165 degrees. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before carving.
- Note: Garnish turkey platter with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, lemons, fresh thyme, or flat-leaf parsley.
(Makes one 18 pound turkey, adjust ingredients and timings for a larger bird)
Something to remember: Turkey isn’t just for family dinners or festive occasions… Roasting a turkey for the week will get most of your protein needs satisfied for lunches and dinners for all!
