The Best Roast Turkey with Apple Stuffing Recipe
This roast turkey with apple stuffing recipe is an easy roast turkey recipe for holiday dinners. With a juicy, flavorful turkey roasted breast-side down and sweet apple stuffing, it’s the best Thanksgiving turkey option. Perfect for beginners, you’ll love how to cook a turkey evenly while ensuring crispy skin and tender meat.
Equipment
- A large roasting pan
- Paper towels (for patting the turkey dry)
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 (12 pound) whole turkey neck and giblets removed
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 apple peeled, cored, and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your turkey cooks evenly from start to finish.
- Prepare the turkey: Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold water, then pat it completely dry with paper towels. A dry turkey will help achieve crispy skin.
- Season and stuff: Rub the olive oil and salt generously over the entire bird, including under the skin (if possible). Place the apple cubes inside the turkey’s cavity.
- Position your turkey: Place the turkey breast-side down in a large roasting pan. This method keeps the breast meat juicy.
- Start roasting: Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for 3 hours.
- Flip and finish: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and turn the turkey breast-side up using tongs or a towel. Return to the oven and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F (82°C). This usually takes another 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven.
- Rest and carve: Let the turkey rest for about 30 minutes once it’s out of the oven. This step retains the juices and makes carving easier.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage to the cavity. Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.