Preparing a Thanksgiving Turkey may seem overwhelming, but if the proper steps are followed a perfect turkey is within reach.

Things You’ll Need:

- One raw turkey
- Butter, warmed to room temperature
- Poultry seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Roasting Pan
- Turkey baster
- Aluminum foil
- Timer
- Meat thermometer

Step 1:
Read label to determine bird’s weight.

Step 2:
Calculate cooking time.

NOTE: Calculate 20 minutes for every pound. Add an additional hour to the cooking time if you plan to stuff the bird.

Step 3:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Step 4:
While the oven is preheating, prepare the turkey for baking.

PREPARING THE TURKEY

Step 1:
Remove turkey from packaging.

Step 2:
Remove any metal or plastic ties binding the bird’s legs.

Step 3:
Remove wrapped gizzards and neck from inside the turkey.

Step 4:
Thoroughly rinse inside and outside of turkey.

Step 5:
Using a paper towel, pat bird dry.

Step 6:
Rub 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter on outside of turkey.

Step 7:
In small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning together.

Step 8:
Rub spice mixture on outside of turkey.

Step 9:
Place turkey in roasting pan.

Step 10:
Cover turkey with aluminum foil.

Step 11:
Once oven is preheated, place turkey in oven.

COOKING THE BIRD:

Step 1:
Set timer for 30 minutes.

Step 2:
After 30 minutes, remove foil from turkey.

Step 3:
Baste turkey with juices in roasting pan.

Step 4:
Place 3-4 pats of butter on outside of turkey.

Step 5:
After replacing foil, continue cooking for an additional hour.

Step 6:
After second hour of cooking, remove foil.

Step 7:
Baste turkey.

Step 8:
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 through last two hours of cooking time.
Step 9:
Depending on calculated cooking time, remove foil for last two hours of baking.

WARNING: Continue to watch turkey closely to prevent over browning! If skin begins to burn, replace foil and continue cooking at lower temperature.

Step 9:
After cooking for calculated cooking time, test whether turkey is done.

Step 10:
To do so, insert a meat thermometer into a thigh.

Step 11:
Once the thermometer’s reading reaches 170-180 degrees the turkey is completely cooked.

Step 12:
Remove turkey from oven,

Step 13:
Allow turkey to rest for 30 minutes after baking.

NOTE: This will allow the juices to redistribute!

Step 14:
Using a carving knife, carve turkey.

Step 15:
Enjoy!

Congratulate yourself! You just prepared your first Thanksgiving turkey!