How to Roast a Turkey (the Easy and Cheap way!)

Wondering how to roast a turkey? We’ve got an easy roast turkey recipe that always turns out perfectly moist, plus a free printable turkey cheat sheet!

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY FREE PRINTABLE

Need a turkey cheat sheet to make sure you’re prepared? I’ve made you a free printable with everything from choosing the the size, to thawing, roasting, and checking for doneness.

You can download the printable here! Then read on for lots of detailed information about different thawing methods. And of course, lots of information on how to roast a turkey the easy and cheap way.

Want to skip all the details? Here are step by step instructions to follow.

THANKSGIVING WITH DAD

If you need an easy roast turkey recipe for Thanksgiving you’ve come to the right place! One of my favorite childhood memories is helping my dad with the Thanksgiving and Christmas bird each year.

With 35 years of turkey roasting under his belt, and the analytical mind of an engineer, my dad has tried and tested a myriad of roasting techniques. Here’s the method that is the easiest and cheapest way to get a great result every time.

GETTING A GOOD DEAL ON YOUR TURKEY

The first thing I learned from my dad is that cooking the perfect turkey starts with some research.

A lot of local grocery stores have great deals on their turkeys, but you really need to carefully look at the stipulations for the sale price.  

Some grocery stores give away FREE turkeys if you spend a certain amount. You can save up your monthly grocery shopping as well as holiday shopping to meet that minimum.

You will want to choose a turkey that weighs one pound for every adult. Or two pounds per adult if you have big eaters or want leftovers.

HOW TO THAW A TURKEY

Once you get your turkey, if it’s frozen, you need to plan ahead for thawing.

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY: THAWING A TURKEY IN THE BATHTUB

For years, my dad and I would thaw the still wrapped turkey in the bathtub.

I’d get to fill the bath with cold water the night before, and in the middle of the night I would check on the bird each time I got up to use the restroom.

In the morning Dad would whisper, “Diana, wake up, it’s turkey time.”

I’d follow him into the bathroom in my slippered feet and push my pajama sleeve up as high as it could go to pull the bathtub plug.

We have since learned that the bathtub method is not the safest for thawing. The outer layer of the can reach unsafe temperatures before the inside is thawed. So here are some safer options.

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY: THAWING A TURKEY IN BRINE

My dad’s new favorite way to thaw a frozen turkey is in a brine.  He’s tried different recipes and brining mixes, but says if money is an issue just go with a cup of kosher salt in your water.

You will need a refrigerator with lots of space to thaw a turkey in brine.

1. Fill a bucket or large dish tub with your brine.
2. Place the unwrapped bird, breast side down, in the brine.
3. Put the whole tub in the refrigerator.
4. Let thaw 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.

Brining adds flavor and moisture to the meat.  But I’ve made and eaten a lot of great turkeys without brine so if you’re pressed for money or time, you can skip it.

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY: HOW TO THAW A TURKEY IN THE FRIDGE

The easiest way to thaw any whole poultry is simply placing it in the fridge. Just be aware it takes several days to thaw this way.

1. Leave the bird packaged in the wrapper.
2. Place it in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.
3. Put the whole thing in the refrigerator and thaw 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY: HOW TO THAW A TURKEY IN WATER

The fastest way to thaw your bird is in a cold water bath. It is time intensive though, because you need to change the water every 30 minutes.

1. Securely wrap your packaged turkey so no water can enter.
2. Place in large bucket or sink filled with cold tap water.
3. Change the cold water out every 30 minutes.
4. Plan on thawing your bird 30 minutes for every pound.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A MOIST TURKEY?

While techniques like brining, or cooking breast side down, can help your bird stay moist, they aren’t fool proof. The best way to make a moist turkey is to cook it in a roasting bag.

If your bird is not completely thawed inside, just rinse the cavity with running water until all the ice is washed away.  

Make sure to remove the giblets, neck, and any other parts that are loose or in the little baggie in the cavity.

HOW TO COOK A TURKEY IN A BAG

Once your bird is rinsed and empty, it’s time to prepare the next key to an easy roast turkey, and that’s the roasting bag.  My dad has tried to cook a turkey without a bag three times, and each time he’s done it we’ve all complained (including him!).  

You can find the roasting bags in the plastic baggie and aluminum foil section of the grocery store.  Another nice thing about roasting bags is that they have directions!  If you’re nervous about roasting your first turkey, they walk you through it.

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY IN A BAG STEP BY STEP

1. The first step is to put a pinch of flour in the bag and shake it around to coat the bag so it doesn’t stick to your bird.
2. Set the bag in a roasting pan (more about roasting pans later!).
3. Once your bag is resting in the pan with the bag opening hanging over one side, begin placing circles of onion and stalks of celery in the bottom of the bag.  This provides a bed for the turkey to rest on so it doesn’t stick to the bottom, and adds flavor.
4. Carefully put your bird into the bag resting on the vegetables.
5. If you haven’t already, now’s a good time to preheat your oven to 325°F.
6. Reach into the bag to coat the skin with olive oil or butter, and season with salt and pepper. Our recipe at the end of the post uses a delicious lemon thyme butter!
7. Use the twisty tie that came with the roasting bag to seal the bag.
8. Make a few 1/2 inch slits in the top of the bag.
9. Put your turkey in the oven.  Make sure that you’ve taken out the top rack in your oven so that your bag doesn’t melt on the top heating element (yes, voice of experience speaking!).
10. Cook according to the cooking chart on our free printable on How to Roast a Turkey.
11. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature before you remove the turkey from the oven. It should read 165°F in the breast and stuffing, and 180°F in the thigh.
12. Once it’s done, have someone help you hold the bag over a large bowl.  
13. Cut one corner off of the bag and let the juices drain from the bag into your bowl.  These drippings are what you’ll strain and use to make gravy.
14. Slip the turkey from the bag onto a platter, and let rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
15. Now you have the choice of serving your bird on the platter garnished with some seasonal fruit and herbs, or slicing it to bring to the table.

THE BEST TURKEY ROASTING PAN

My absolute FAVORITE roasting pan is the one from Oneida! It’s super sturdy, easy to carry, and comes with a roasting rack.

If you don’t have a roasting pan, and you’re on a tight budget, check places like dollar stores and thrift stores before buying a foil one in a grocery store.  

In a pinch, the foil roasting pans work great for one time use.

Even though they’re less sturdy, you’re using a bag to hold the juices in so you don’t have to worry about pouring boiling turkey juice all over your feet. You can also carry the foil pan on a sturdy tray.

HOW LONG TO COOK A TURKEY AT 350

Most instructions for roasting a turkey cook it at 325°F. So that’s how I cook my birds now, unless I’m slow roasting them.

But the Reynolds oven bags actually have their cooking time chart for 350°F. You can check out their chart if you’d like to cook your turkey at 350°F. I find it to only be about 30 to 45 minutes faster at 350.

IS TURKEY DONE AT 165 or 180?

So is turkey done at 165°F or 180°F? The answer is both!

HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY: FINAL COOKING TEMPERATURE

1. You should check the temperature of your bird in three different places.
2. The thickest part of the thigh should read 165°F.
3. The thickest part of the breast should read 180°F.
4. The stuffing (if you stuffed your turkey) should also be 180°F.
5. Use a digital thermometer to get a faster and accurate read.
6. Poke the meat thermometer right through the bag to get to the meat.

I know there are a lot of tips out there on how to roast a turkey. But if you’re looking for easy and cheap, and still want a delicious bird, give the bag method a try!

PIN TO SAVE HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY FOR LATER

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