Best Recipe for Salt-Roasted Turkey with Lemon and Oregano
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup coarse kosher salt (preferably Diamond Crystal brand)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 14- to 16-pound turkey; neck, heart, and gizzard reserved for Ultimate Turkey Stock
- 3 lemons, coarsely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
- 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups Ultimate Turkey Stock or low-salt chicken broth, divided
- Greek-Inspired Fresh Oregano and Giblet Pan Gravy
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in small bowl.
- For turkey: Rinse turkey. Pull out metal insert that holds legs and remove fat pads from neck and main cavities. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons salt rub inside cavities. Slide bird into turkey-size oven bag. Sprinkle remaining salt rub over bird. Close bag; place on rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate turkey 18 to 24 hours.
- Rinse turkey. Pull out metal insert that holds legs and remove fat pads from neck and main cavities. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons salt rub inside cavities. Slide bird into turkey-size oven bag. Sprinkle remaining salt rub over bird. Close bag; place on rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate turkey 18 to 24 hours.
- To roast turkey: Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 350°F. Place rack in large roasting pan. Rinse turkey; pat dry. Combine lemons, next 6 ingredients, 1/4 cup oil, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice in large bowl; spoon into main cavity. Whisk remaining oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs loosely. Place turkey on rack; brush with some lemon oil. Pour 2 cups stock into roasting pan. Roast turkey 1 hour. Brush all over with remaining lemon oil. Roast turkey 45 minutes; pour 1 cup stock into pan. Roast 45 minutes; add 1/2 cup to 11/2 cups stock to pan to maintain liquid level. Turn pan around. Roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, about 45 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to platter; reserve pan with juices. Tent turkey loosely with foil; let rest 30 to 45 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees). While turkey rests, prepare gravy.
- Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 350°F. Place rack in large roasting pan. Rinse turkey; pat dry. Combine lemons, next 6 ingredients, 1/4 cup oil, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice in large bowl; spoon into main cavity. Whisk remaining oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs loosely. Place turkey on rack; brush with some lemon oil.
- Pour 2 cups stock into roasting pan. Roast turkey 1 hour. Brush all over with remaining lemon oil. Roast turkey 45 minutes; pour 1 cup stock into pan. Roast 45 minutes; add 1/2 cup to 11/2 cups stock to pan to maintain liquid level. Turn pan around. Roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, about 45 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to platter; reserve pan with juices. Tent turkey loosely with foil; let rest 30 to 45 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees).
- While turkey rests, prepare gravy.
Want to Generate a Custom Recipe?
Click Here → Defined Recipe