Add a photo

Ojai Roast Turkey with Rosemary, Lemon, and Garlic

By: Sunset magazine 
"This recipe produces a crispy golden bird with the aromas of lemon and rosemary. A stunning centerpiece for the holiday table."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.8 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (21)

Ready In:
3 Hrs 45 Min

Servings  (Help)

Calculate

 

Original Recipe Yield 20 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 20 pounds turkey
  • 8 fresh rosemary sprigs (each 6 to 8 in. long), rinsed
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 (8 ounce) onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 (5 ounce) lemons, rinsed and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1/3 cup olive oil or melted butter
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon shredded lemon peel
  • 1 teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
  • Salt

Directions

  1. Remove and discard leg truss from turkey. Pull off and discard any lumps of fat. Remove giblets and neck (they're often packed in neck or body cavity) and save for gravy. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Fill body cavity loosely with rosemary sprigs, garlic, onion, and lemons: if they don't all fit, tuck remaining into neck cavity. Fold skin flap under to hold in place. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chopped rosemary, lemon peel, and pepper. Rub mixture all over turkey.
  2. Place turkey, breast up, on a V-shaped rack in a 12- by 17-inch roasting pan (or one that is at least 2 in. longer and wider than the bird). Insert a meat thermometer straight down through thickest part of breast to the bone. (If using an instant-read thermometer, insert when checking temperature.)
  3. Roast as directed in chart, 2 to 3 hours. Remove herbs and vegetables from cavities and discard.
  4. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, then carve. If thigh joints are still pink (common in an oven-roasted bird), cut drumsticks from thighs, place thighs in a baking pan, and bake in a 450 degree oven until no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes, or put on a microwave-safe plate and cook in a microwave oven at full power (100%) for 1 to 3 minutes.

Footnotes

  • Allow 3/4 pound uncooked turkey per person, or 1 pound if you want leftovers
  • Turkey weight (with giblets) 10 -13 lb. Oven temp 350 degrees Internal temp 160 degrees Cooking time 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 hr.
  • Turkey weight (with giblets) 14 - 23 lb. Oven temp 325 degrees Internal temp 160 degrees Cooking time 2 - 3 hr.
  • Turkey weight (with giblets) 24 - 27 lb. Oven temp 325 degrees Internal temp 160 degrees Cooking time 3 - 3 3/4 hr.
  • Turkey weight (with giblets) 28 - 30 lb. Oven temp 325 degrees Internal temp 160 degrees Cooking time 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hr.
  • Reprinted with permission of Sunset® magazine. All rights reserved.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 768 | Total Fat: 40.1g | Cholesterol: 309mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

ADVERTISEMENT

 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 10, 2003 by RJJENSENANDCREW   view full review
My husband made this for Thanksgiving and it was, BY FAR, the best turkey we ever had. Very...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 15, 2003 by Esmee Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
This turkey tasted great, was VERY easy to make, and made the whole house smell wonderful...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 20, 2005 by Trudi Davidoff   view full review
This was fabulous! I had a a small family gathering for Thanksgiving this year so we...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 29, 2003 by PIPIN   view full review
I tried this recipe along with the entire Thanksgiving menu and loved it. I didn't even test...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on May 9, 2004 by BethK   view full review
Absolutely FABULOUS!!! I have also used this recipe for a roasted chicken. So moist! So...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 17, 2004 by JOENAUJOKAS   view full review
I have found my perfect turkey recipe.
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 29, 2004 by COOKINMOMMY1   view full review
Look no further. This recipe delivers the most beautiful, most delicious turkey ever. My...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 26, 2004 by DKNJ30   view full review
My husband and I selected this recipe for our very first thanksgiving together. We've never...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 29, 2004 by MommyBennett   view full review
WOW!!! This was the best turkey I've ever had!!! The seasoning scared me a little that it may...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 27, 2004 by SASHAM3   view full review
This recipe is AMAZING! All our guests raved, from the 6 year old to the adults! Tender,...

 

recipe box See something worth saving?
Register now to save all your favorites in your Recipe Box.

Sign up for FREE Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Menus

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
Sorry, there are no related menus here yet.
 
Select Your Version:  Argentina  |  Australia & New Zealand  |  Brazil  |  Canada  |  China  |  France  |  Germany  |  India  |  Japan  |  Korea  |  Mexico  |  Netherlands  |  Poland

Quebec  |  Russia  |  SE Asia  |  United Kingdom & Ireland  |  United States