Roast Turkey

By Hklbrries

Ingredients

• 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups apple cider

Details

Servings 10

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove giblets from turkey and discard or reserve for another use. Rinse turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Liberally salt and pepper turkey inside and out. Tie ends of legs to tail with kitchen twine; lift wing tips up and over back so they are tucked under bird. Place on rack in roasting pan with breast side up. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of thigh without touching bone. Pour 1 cup water into the pan. Spread butter over turkey. Baste with some of the apple cider. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and roast 2 1/2 hours. Remove foil from turkey. Reduce heat to 325 F. Roast uncovered until done (about 1 hour), basting often with apple cider. To test for doneness, meat thermometer should register 180 F, or the juices should run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and allow turkey to stand 20 minutes before carving.