Why this recipe works: We loosen the skin of the turkey and apply a mixture of salt and sugar to the meat to season it and help it retain more juices as it cooks. A baking powder rub ensures thorough browning and crispy skin. We preheat both a baking stone and a roasting pan in the oven before placing the turkey in the pan. The stone absorbs heat and delivers it through the pan to the turkey’s legs and thighs, which need to cook to a higher temperature than the delicate breast meat (which we protect with a foil shield). After the leg quarters have gotten a jump start on cooking, we reduce the oven temperature from 425 to 325 degrees and remove the shield to allow the breast to brown while the bird finishes cooking. The boost of heat provided by the stone also helps the juices brown and reduce into concentrated drippings that can be turned into a flavorful gravy in the time that the turkey rests.
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Preheat: ° | Yield: servings | |
Prep: 0:00 | Wait: 24-48 hours | Cook: 0:00 |