About:
- 1 12-pound turkey, thawed if frozen
- 12 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- kosher salt
- 2 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (if needed)
Step 1: Heat oven to 375° F. Working on a baking sheet, remove the giblets and neck from the cavity. Reserve the neck and discard the giblets. Using a paper towel, pat the turkey dry of juices. Stuff with the thyme and half the onions.
Step 2: Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Tuck the wing tips underneath the body (this will prevent them from burning).
Step 3: Rub the turkey all over with the butter and season with 1 teaspoon salt, making sure to reach the crevices of the legs and wings. Be careful not to tear the delicate skin.
Step 4: Place the turkey neck, carrots, celery, and remaining onions in a large flameproof roasting pan. Put a roasting rack in the pan and place the turkey on top of it.
Step 5: Roast the turkey, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices. (Basting will not make the meat moister, but it will produce an evenly browned skin.)
Step 6: If the turkey begins to darken and there is still a substantial amount of cooking time left, tent it loosely with foil. If the vegetables begin to scorch, add some broth to the pan.
Step 7: Continue roasting until the thickest part of a thigh registers 165° F, 2½ to 3 hours. Tilt the turkey to empty the juices into the pan. Transfer the turkey to a carving board, tent with foil, and let rest for at least 25 minutes.
Spices:
Pepper, Sage, Allspice, Bay Leaf, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Garam Masala, Ginger, Paprika, Parsley, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme
Fruits and Vegetables:
Apple, Pear, Cherry, Cranberry, Date, Fig, Kumquat, Lemon, Nectarine, Orange, Raspberry, Sweet Potato, Potato, Onion, Green Beans, Spinach, Greens, Carrots, Leeks, Peas
Savory
Sausage, Oysters, Clams, Bacon, Prosciutto, Duck Fat
Cheese:
Cream Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, White Cheddar, Soft Cheeses Like Goat Cheese Or Feta Cheese, Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, And Cream
Misc:
Rice, Gravy, Smoked, Grilled
Drinks
Beer, Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gruner Veltliner, Merlot, Red Zinfandel