With Thanksgiving just around the corner everyone is looking for the perfect old fashioned roast turkey recipe. If this is the first time to roasted a turkey, do not fret. It is much simpler than you imagine.

If your turkey is frozen, the first step is to thaw it. You need to plan well ahead, because you will need to thaw the bird 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey. Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest way, and will prevent bacteria from forming.

After the turkey is thawed, remove the neck and giblets from the inside cavity. Rinse the bird thoroughly. Apply softened, unsalted butter to the outside of the turkey, and then coat the inside with butter as well. Sprinkle a little basic seasoning on the outside to suit your taste.

Now it is time for the turkey to be placed in the cooking pan. Always place the bird with the breast pointing up. A shallow pan should be used, and a dark pan will work best. Shiny pans will increase the time needed to cook the bird. Just before placing the turkey in the oven is the time to add stuffing to the cavity of the bird, if you choose to add stuffing. A few cups of turkey stock should be added to the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey nice and juicy.

You might decide to cover the turkey for cooking. If the olde worlde roasting pan includes a lid, use it. You can also make a tent using aluminum foil, or buy a olde worlde roasting bag. Paper shopping bags are not advisable, since some bags are recycled and might contain unwanted substances.

Place the old fashioned roasting pan in an oven preheated to 325 degrees. Higher heat is also an option. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the juices from the bottom of the pan. If you covered the bird, remove the cover after 2 hours of cooking. Cooking times will vary, depending on where you live. Ask your local butcher for his or her advice on cooking times.

See, that was not difficult. This roast turkey recipe promises to be simple and will please your whole family.

With Thanksgiving approaching, it is time to think about the best roast turkey recipe and I prefer a traditional recipe, with traditional presentation, which includes a classic turkey gravy boat to present the traditional gravy made the old fashioned way.

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