Tender Thanksgiving Turkey

This turkey recipe can be the star of your Thanksgiving meal. Fortunately, it’s easy to prepare a perfectly juicy and flavorful turkey! This recipe is a fan favorite in the Dinogo community — many reviewers return to it year after year for its consistently delicious results.

How to Roast a Perfect Turkey

Below you'll find the complete, step-by-step guide — but here’s a quick summary of what you can expect from this highly-rated Thanksgiving turkey recipe:

1. Season the turkey: In a small bowl, combine parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper, and salt. Rub the herb blend inside the turkey's cavity, then stuff it with celery, orange, onion, and carrot.
2. Prepare the turkey: Set the turkey in a roasting pan lined with foil, large enough to wrap around the bird. Pour Champagne and broth over the turkey, making sure to coat the inside of the cavity as well.
3. Roast the turkey: Fold the foil over the turkey and seal it tightly. Roast in a preheated oven until the juices run clear. Unwrap the foil and continue roasting until the skin becomes golden and crispy.

How Long to Thaw a Turkey

The safest method for thawing a turkey is in the refrigerator. Plan for about 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 15-pound frozen turkey will take roughly three days to thaw in the fridge.

How to Season a Turkey

This succulent Thanksgiving turkey is seasoned inside and out: The cavity is filled with a flavorful mix of dried parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salt. Before roasting, Champagne and chicken broth are poured over the turkey, ensuring the meat remains juicy and tender while infusing it with rich, irresistible flavor.

What Temperature to Roast a Turkey

For a 15-pound turkey, roast it at 350°F (175°C) for approximately hours. This should be enough time for your Thanksgiving turkey to be fully cooked and golden brown.

How Long to Roast a Turkey

We recommend roasting an unstuffed turkey for 13-15 minutes per pound. For a 15-pound turkey, it should be ready in about hours — but always check the internal temperature to ensure it’s safe to eat and avoid any risk of foodborne illness.

What Temperature Should Turkey Be to Be Fully Cooked?

To ensure your turkey is cooked perfectly, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, close to the bone. The temperature should reach at least 180°F (80°C).

How to Slice a Turkey

Carving a turkey is easier than you might think. All you need is a sharp knife, a cutting board, a meat fork, and a few simple steps. To guide you through the process, check out our detailed turkey carving tutorial (with helpful images!).

Why Do We Serve Turkey at Thanksgiving?

While turkey may not have been on the table at the 1621 harvest meal we now call the First Thanksgiving, historians believe venison was the likely main dish served to the early pilgrims and Native Americans.

Roast turkey became a Thanksgiving tradition by the 1800s, thanks in part to a clever marketing campaign by poultry producers after the Civil War, encouraging people to eat more turkey, especially during the holiday season.

How to Store Turkey Leftovers

To store turkey leftovers, place them in airtight containers or zip-lock bags, removing as much air as possible. Keep them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat the turkey in the oven or microwave.

How to Make the Most of Turkey Leftovers

Don’t let your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers go to waste! Explore these delicious ideas for creative and tasty ways to use up every last bit:

• 13 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes for After the Big Feast
• 10 Leftover Turkey Casseroles for After Thanksgiving
• 10 Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipes

Browse our full collection of Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes for more delicious ideas.

Dinogo Community Tips and Reviews

"This recipe was incredible — so easy to follow, and my Thanksgiving guests couldn’t stop talking about how juicy and flavorful the turkey was," says albertiraross. "Make sure to save some of the dry spice mix to sprinkle on top of the turkey for extra flavorful skin."

"This recipe was a total winner — super simple," says heatherhoney. "Without a doubt, the juiciest turkey with the least amount of work. Just make sure to use a DEEP baking/roasting dish, as the liquid bubbles up."

"The combination of Champagne and chicken broth made the turkey incredibly moist," shares Malanmo. "The blend of herbs added amazing flavor too. I’d definitely make this recipe again and highly recommend it!"

Editorial input provided by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 2 tablespoons dried parsley

• 2 tablespoons ground dried rosemary

• 2 tablespoons rubbed dried sage

• 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves

• 1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed

• 1 medium orange, cut into 8 wedges

• 1 medium onion, chopped into large pieces

• 1 medium carrot, cut into ½-inch slices

• 2 stalks celery, cut into ½-inch slices

• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

Instructions

Collect all your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil long enough to wrap the turkey completely.

Combine parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salt in a small bowl, stirring well.

Massage the herb blend into the turkey cavity, then stuff with orange wedges, onion, carrot, and celery. Secure the turkey legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body.

Position the turkey on the foil-lined roasting pan. Pour champagne and chicken broth over the turkey, ensuring some of the liquid gets inside the cavity.

Cover the turkey with aluminum foil, folding it over the top and sealing it, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the bird.

Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until the juices run clear, about 2 ½ to 3 hours. Remove the foil and continue roasting until the skin becomes golden brown, 30 to 60 minutes more. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone — it should read 180°F (80°C).

Take the turkey out of the oven, cover it with two sheets of aluminum foil, and let it rest in a warm spot for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Slice and serve — enjoy the delicious meal!

Cooking Tip

Nutritional Information (per serving)