Rosemary Lemon Roasted Turkey

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? After the Holidays: Rosemary Lemon Roasted Turkey! Did you know a frozen turkey will last up to two years in the freezer? First and foremost, it’s only a bargain if you have the space to store it. That being said, roasting a turkey is a great source of lean protein. A whole bird provides healthy meat that can be served several different ways. Unfortunately, our bodies need protein and cannot store it. We need to replenish protein in order to build strong bones, repair muscle, heal skin, and help keep blood sugar levels even. All the other vitamins and minerals are a bonus. A few words of advice: Remove and discard the skin of the roasted turkey, no matter how tempting that crispy, golden outer covering calls your name. It’s main purpose is to keep the meat moist. That, and for taking fabulous snapshots, of course.

ROSEMARY LEMON ROASTED TURKEY

Ingredients:

4-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary

2 lemons, quartered

12-pound turkey, thawed

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Rinse turkey, pat dry. Insert rosemary and lemon pieces in the cavity of the turkey. Truss the turkey by wrapping the bird in cooking twine. Secure the legs and tuck the wings underneath. Transfer turkey to the roasting pan with the breast side up. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with kosher salt and garlic powder. Bake uncovered for 4 hours, or until a meat thermometer reads 180°. The juice of the turkey will run clear when the center of the thigh is cut. Remove from oven. Cover. Allow turkey to rest for 15 minutes before carving. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and lemons.

34 thoughts on “Rosemary Lemon Roasted Turkey”

  8. This is such a great recipe and who can resist the crispy deliciousness off that golden-brown turkey skin! As a little side anecdote regarding freezers: my Mom bought a full-size standup Fridigaire freezer in 1964 which our family used constantly. At the time we had one of those very popular meat plans so the freezer was always chock full of different cuts and types of meat, fish, assorted vegetables, ice cream, etc. as well as Mom’s homemade delicacies. When my parents moved into a smaller house in upstate NY in 1977, Mom gave the freezer to me. It is now 2021 and 57 years have gone by. That Fridigaire freezer is still in my basement, working like a charm! We moved three times, bringing that freezer with us each time, raised our family, renovated our kitchen, replaced our appliances SEVERAL times and that freezer has withstood the test of time. It’s still running perfectly and HAS NEVER NEEDED SERVICE! They don’t make ’em like that any more! 🌟 🏆

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