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Home » Recipe Type » Dinner » Turkey
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One Juicy Turkey for Thanksgiving

4 hours 10 minutes
carrotcelery
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:1/22/14
Updated:11/24/19
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Juicy turkey recipe for Thanksgiving!  Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned turkey recipe!

Juicy Turkey

You guys are just the best.  All your comments you left on Essy’s post are so beautiful and caring.  Reading through and seeing all the love, reliving stories of your own past losts and just being the sweetest really made me feel better.  I owe you all a donut.   When you’re in Brooklyn, you holla at me, we have a date.  Thanks again, it really means alot to our family. <3

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_5

In the post I shared Essy’s favorite holiday because it meant her favorite food, Thanksgiving and turkey.   Give that girl a whiff of turkey and she was there.   From the time the turkey was taken out of the wrapper until it came out of the oven, Essy was pacing like a nervous lady.  She would be on the floor staring into the oven, on the kitchen island staring at the oven, on the table staring into the oven.   When we opened the oven to get the turkey in and out someone had to hold her because there was no stopping her.  She wanted that turkey.  The best way to honor Essy we decided was to have Thanksgiving Dinner in January.  Essy would want nothing more.

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_6

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

So this week we went to the store to get Thanksgiving supplies and a feast was had.  Throughout the making of I would look up just thinking about how just a few months ago she was staring me in the eyes, licking her lips, whispering into my brain “Feed me!”.   During dinner, we talked about her and her beloved turkey.  We knew that while we ate there was no doubt Essy would be between our plates trying to steal a piece (that’s after she finished her own plateful).  

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_4

So on to one juicy delicious turkey to celebrate Essy!

 This turkey is awesome and is now my official go to turkey recipe.   It’s easy, you don’t need to brine overnight, the ingredients it calls for are basic and oh goodness it’s moist.  Because you are going to stick butter between the skin and breast meat, it’s so juicy.   
One Juicy Delicious Turkey

You can use seasoning salt but I recommend a seasoning rub.  I used a citrus and savory rub that includes sea salt, sugar, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, lime, chili powder, chili pepper and paprika. Yum.
One Juicy Delicious Turkey_2

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_1

Into the oven this turkey goes..
And out comes this beauty..
One Juicy Delicious Turkey_7

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_3

 

One Juicy Delicious Turkey_8
Crinkles the Frog was taught well by Essy.

 Enjoy your Thanksgiving in November or January or whenever you’re craving a juicy turkey!

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One Juicy Turkey

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Juicy turkey recipe for Thanksgiving!  Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned turkey recipe!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1 12 pound whole turkey
  • 6 tablespoons butter - cut into tablespoon slices
  • 4 cups warm water
  • 4 tablespoons chicken bouillon
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning rub
  • 3 carrots - cut up into pieces
  • 3 pieces of celery - cut up into pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and rinse your turkey under water. Remove giblets and neck if you don't like them. Put turkey in roasting pan.
  • Separate the skin over the breast meat and put 3 tablespoons (3 slices) of butter on both sides.
  • In a bowl combine the warm water, chicken bouillon, parsley and onion powder. Pour over the turkey.
  • Sprinkle seasoning rub all over the turkey.
  • Distribute carrots and celery in the bottom of the pan.
  • Put turkey breast side up, cover with foil and cook for 3.5-4 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Remove the foil for the last 45 minutes.
  • Enjoy!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

 

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  1. Mary Frances says

    January 23, 2014 at 8:57 am

    This is a really special way to celebrate Essy. You guys bake some good lookin’ turkeys!

    Reply
  2. Traci says

    January 23, 2014 at 8:38 am

    What a great way to honor Essy. She sounds like she had quite the personality. She will always be with you in memory and every Thanksgiving will always include a wonderful memory of her.

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    January 23, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Having a second Thanksgiving would make me absurdly happy!!

    Reply
  4. ela@GrayApron says

    January 23, 2014 at 4:38 am

    I very much would like turkey in January…especially one that looks like above. Perfect! 🙂 ela

    Reply
  5. Kristi @ lifesprinkles says

    January 23, 2014 at 4:32 am

    What a wonderful tribute to your little lady. Sending lots of love your way xoxo

    Reply
  6. GiGi Eats Celebrities says

    January 23, 2014 at 1:05 am

    I WISHHHHHHHHH my family liked turkey enough to make Thanksgiving again in January, alas, they do not. When I go home for Fourth of July, I always mention how I would LOVE to have Thanksgiving during the summer and they always turn me down! DUMB! Obviously I could make Thanksgiving for myself, but I don’t want ALL of those left overs! ha ha!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      January 23, 2014 at 1:36 am

      You’re invited over GiGi! Thanksgiving in the Summer is awesome. Last year we had a Thanksgiving in August with a bunch of friends, it was such a fun day.

      Reply
  7. Michelle says

    January 22, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Aw! I had a cat on my lap until I pressed play to the video. She heard your voice and went all around the computer to find you! :p I have never made a whole turkey before…actually, never made a whole anything. Now I have a good reference for the future. 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      January 23, 2014 at 1:35 am

      Aww hello sweet kitty! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Pam says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    I have a feeling Essy is looking down on you from cat heaven and is so happy to see you celebrate her with this beautiful bird! It looks delicious. xoxo

    I forgot to tell you yesterday that the book Cat Heaven really has helped me heal when I lost my last two cats – it truly made me feel better. Here is a link to the book:

    http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590100548

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      January 23, 2014 at 1:31 am

      Thanks Pam, adding this to my library holds now. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    What a gorgeous bird in honor of Essy! Wonderful job, Pamela. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says

    January 22, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    No wonder Essy loved turkey so much. That turkey looks incredibly good! I’m ready to steal a piece. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

    January 22, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    What a lovely idea! And a great way to roast a turkey. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  12. Tara says

    January 22, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Ah, I am so ready for Thanksgiving already. Is it November yet?

    Reply
  13. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    January 22, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    such a beautiful tribute for Essy.

    Reply
  14. byeGeorge says

    January 22, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Touching story on your cat…but with more cats in the house…a cat owner should be cognizant that they are only there serve…thx…for your recipes, time and the blog…byeGeorge (~.-)

    Reply
  15. Monica says

    January 22, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Making this meal must have been so bittersweet for you. It is such a lovely gesture. Clearly, Essy had great taste in food.

    Reply
  16. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    January 22, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    That is one perfect-looking turkey, Pamela. It’s so sweet that you had a feast in memory of Essy.

    Reply
  17. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says

    January 22, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Oh my, I don’t know how I missed the post on Essy. I just read it, and am bawling my eyes out! I am so sorry. Losing a pet is the hardest thing, I remember when I lost my childhood dog, Fred, we knew something wasn’t right when he wouldn’t even eat a piece of turkey, much like Essy. I’m sure it’s so comforting having those last few special days with her. I’m sure she would love this turkey 🙂

    Reply
  18. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

    January 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I just made a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday!! 🙂 What a sweet way to remember Essy!

    Reply
  19. Kelly says

    January 22, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    What a wonderful way to honor Essy. I’m sure she appreciated it and you definitely made her proud with this turkey – it looks so juicy and incredible 🙂

    Reply
  20. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    January 22, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Great way to remember Essy! Our first cat was a turkey fiend too — Thanksgiving was always so interesting. 😉

    Reply
  21. The Squishy Monster says

    January 22, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    I think this is the best idea EVER, Pamela!!

    Reply
  22. Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says

    January 22, 2014 at 11:55 am

    We did our first whole turkey together a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving this year. What a learning experience. This was such a fun way for you to celebrate Essy!

    Reply
  23. Prudy @butter, basil, and breadcrumbs says

    January 22, 2014 at 11:19 am

    What a special way to honor Essy… She would have loved this. What a wonderful recipe…simply delicious. The next time I make a turkey (and it will be soon after reading this…) it will be in Essy’s honor. <3

    Reply
  24. Donalyn@The Creekside Cook says

    January 22, 2014 at 11:00 am

    I am so sorry to hear about Essy – very hard to lose a pet 🙁

    This recipe reminds me though, that I have a turkey still in my freezer – time to get that out and get it roasted up I think! Thanks for the spice rub idea – it looks wonderful.

    Reply
  25. Francine says

    January 22, 2014 at 11:00 am

    Best homage ever.

    Reply
  26. Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:44 am

    So special Pamela, thanks for sharing. That gorgeous, buttery turkey would make me pace and lick my lips too!

    Reply
  27. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:38 am

    This turkey looks delicious! Love all that butter you shoved under the skin. Yum!

    Reply
  28. Nora says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Oh, what a great way to honor Essy! You know she is pacing and meowing for that turkey, wherever she is right now 🙂

    Reply
  29. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:17 am

    You are bringing tears t o my eyes! How sweet! I will probably think of Essy every time I cook a turkey from now on.

    Reply
  30. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    January 22, 2014 at 10:14 am

    Turkey in January? Why not? By this time I’m craving turkey again. You’re making me hungry! 🙂

    Reply
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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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