This recipe for roast turkey combines garlic-infused olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon. It was brined first for a fool-proof juicy turkey with TONS of flavor.
Roast turkey is the staple of the holiday season. Roasting a turkey can be intimidating and overwhelming with all the different approaches and techniques out there. There is no right or wrong way to roast a turkey. Just as long as you follow a few tips to make sure it is cooked through, not too dry, and is full of flavor.
Before I share my recipe and technique I should tell you how I learned some of the best lessons. I learn the best by trial and error. One of the first times I tried to make a Thanksgiving turkey was a few years ago and what a nightmare! In my defense, my kids were still babies and I was a bit sleep-deprived.
Should I Put Olive Oil on My Turkey?
Cooking the perfect turkey can seem daunting, but with a few simple tips, you’ll have moist flavorful meat and crispy skin every time. One question that often comes up is whether you should rub olive oil on the turkey before roasting. The short answer is yes olive oil helps achieve an evenly browned, tender turkey.
In this article I’ll explain why olive oil is a great choice for preparing your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey and share actionable tips to roast your best bird ever.
Why Use Olive Oil on Turkey?
Olive oil provides several benefits when roasting turkey:
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Moisture – Olive oil helps keep the turkey meat juicy and moist. As it cooks, it bastes the meat from the inside out.
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Browning – Olive oil helps the turkey skin get crispy and beautifully browned. The oil conducts heat evenly across the skin’s surface.
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Flavor – Olive oil has a light fruity flavor that infuses the turkey with taste. It also allows any herbs and spices on the skin to bloom.
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Easy to Find – Olive oil is a common pantry staple that most home cooks have on hand. You don’t have to seek out specialty ingredients.
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Healthy Fat – Olive oil is a heart-healthy unsaturated fat. It’s a better choice than using butter, shortening, or lard for basting.
I recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil. The fresher the better, as the flavor tends to diminish over time. My go-to is a California olive oil with a medium intensity fruitiness that pairs well with poultry.
How to Apply Olive Oil on Turkey
Let’s walk through the simple process of oiling your turkey:
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Pat the turkey completely dry, inside and out. Dry skin will get crisper.
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Drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil over the breast, thighs, legs and wings.
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Use your hands to gently rub the oil evenly all over the skin. Get into every nook and cranny.
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Carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat and rub oil underneath. This bastes from the inside to keep the breast extra moist.
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Rub olive oil all over the cavity as well. Don’t forget the backbone area.
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Sprinkle the entire surface with kosher salt and black pepper. The oil helps them stick and flavors the meat.
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Tuck the wings back to hold the shape. Tie the legs together with kitchen string.
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Place breast side up on a roasting rack in a pan. Roast as your recipe directs.
The turkey may look a bit greasy at first, but don’t worry. The oil gets absorbed as the bird roasts, leaving behind just flavor and moisture.
Tips for Perfect Olive Oil Turkey
Follow these simple tips for the best olive oil roasted turkey:
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Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 1 hour before roasting to prevent overcooking.
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Use a roasting rack to allow air circulation for even cooking and crispy skin.
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Maintain a steady 325°F oven temperature and baste every 45 minutes.
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Cover the breast with foil if browning too quickly, then uncover for the last hour.
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Roast to an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
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Let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy, tender meat.
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Make flavorful gravy from the pan drippings.
Olive Oil Provides Turkey Roasting Benefits
Rubbing turkey with olive oil before roasting is a simple trick to help achieve the perfect holiday bird. The oil bastes the meat, crisps the skin, and provides flavor. Follow these tips for using olive oil to roast a mouthwatering turkey with gorgeous browning. Your family will be amazed, and you’ll look like a pro!
Frequency of Entities:
olive oil: 11
turkey: 16
roast: 5
skin: 5
breast: 3
oil: 11
meat: 3
juicy: 2
moist: 2
crispy: 2
flavor: 3
brown: 3
season: 2
thanksgiving: 1
holiday: 1
herb: 0
gravy: 1
pan: 1
oven: 1
Make sure you have a good roasting pan .
A good quality roasting pan that will fit ANY size turkey will be a good investment that you will never regret. I like a good-quality metal pan with a roasting rack that can be scrubbed properly. The roasting rack will help the turkey stay above the juices that fall and help the turkey cook more evenly. I do not use a non-stick pan. Especially if you use the pan on the stove to make gravy after the turkey is cooked.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ROASTED TURKEY:
Set it out at room temperature for at least an hour before prepping for the oven. This will help the turkey cook more evenly throughout. Follow packaging instructions on proper thawing times.
I stand behind this method. This will infuse flavor and make drying out the turkey during cooking almost impossible.
Should I put olive oil on my turkey?
FAQ
Should I rub oil on my turkey?
Is it better to use olive oil or butter on turkey?
Is olive oil good in turkey?
Can I spray olive oil on my turkey?
Can you use olive oil on a Turkey?
Use olive oil on turkey instead of butter. Olive oil is a nice, healthy alternative to butter and it won’t compromise the taste at all. For added flavor you can try basting a turkey with olive oil infused with herbs. Just make sure you do baste your turkey with butter or oil so you get that crispy turkey skin.
How to cook a turkey breast with olive oil?
Take a bottle of olive oil and drizzle a small stream across the skin on the breast of the turkey and some on the thighs and legs. Gauge how much you need to cover the surface area in a nice coating. Put the bottle away and roll up your sleeves. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey skin, getting it covered well. You don’t have to do the bottom.
Can you use olive oil instead of butter on Turkey?
You may be wondering if you can use olive oil instead of butter on turkey for The Best Oven Roasted Turkey and the answer is, yes. Use olive oil on turkey instead of butter. Olive oil is a nice, healthy alternative to butter and it won’t compromise the taste at all. For added flavor you can try basting a turkey with olive oil infused with herbs.
How do you cook a roasted turkey?
Dry the turkey with a paper towel and brush the top (breast side) all over with olive oil. (You may use melted butter, if you prefer). Flip the turkey over into the roasting rack and pan. Brush with olive oil so that the entire turkey has been oiled. You can sprinkle on some salt, pepper and/or dried herbs, if you want the skin seasoned.