Add turkey fat or butter to the roasting pan or saucepan.

Tips for cooking a turkey in the oven. Tuck the legs and wings back underneath the bird before putting it in the oven. Check the temperature of the turkey midway through roasting and add more water if necessary. Brush or spray skin lightly with vegetable or cooking oil for best appearance.

Slide the turkey into the oven legs first. Arrange the turkey on the roasting rack, breast side down. New to roasting turkey in the oven?

Roast at 400°f for 20 minutes to brown the skin, then turn the temperature down to 325°f and roast until done. Web test kitchen tip: Prep the turkey unwrap the plastic around your turkey while holding it over the sink to ensure that any juices will run down the drain.

Stuff both the neck and body cavity of the thawed turkey and pack it loosely. By the end of this guide, you will master the art of cooking a turkey in the oven! Web season the turkey with your desired seasonings.

Lightly tent the top of the turkey with a piece of aluminum foil and cook for 15 more minutes. Combine salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. As a general guideline, plan to cook the turkey for about 15 minutes per pound.

Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Coat the inside of 1 oven roasting bag with cooking spray. Place turkey on rack set in rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for 24 to 48 hours.