RedCipes

Homestyle Turkey, the Michigander Way

Recipe By Robin C.
Rating
Published Oct 16th
Prep 10m Cook 5h Additional - Ready In 5h 10m
Servings 1 (12 pound) turkey Calories 545.2

A simple, down to basics recipe when it comes to the good old tom turkey.

Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 (12 pound) whole turkey
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 4 cups warm water
  • 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning salt

Cooking Directions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rinse and wash turkey. Discard the giblets, or add to pan if they are anyone's favorites.
  2. 2 Place turkey in a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Separate the skin over the breast to make little pockets. Put 3 tablespoons of the butter on both sides between the skin and breast meat. This makes for very juicy breast meat.
  3. 3 In a medium bowl, combine the water with the bouillon. Sprinkle in the parsley and minced onion. Pour over the top of the turkey. Sprinkle seasoning salt over the turkey.
  4. 4 Cover with foil, and bake in the preheated oven 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). For the last 45 minutes or so, remove the foil so the turkey will brown nicely.

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories 545.2
  • Carbohydrate 0.9 g
  • Cholesterol 209.8 mg
  • Fat 27.9 g
  • Fiber 0.1 g
  • Protein 68.1 g
  • Saturated Fat 9.6 g
  • Sodium 560 mg
  • Sugar 0.2 g

Reviews

  1. VBHOKIE Nov 23, 2014 07:36 PM
    My Thanksgiving turkey was the BEST turkey I have ever tasted, and the family RAVED over it. Before you place the butter under the skin, do this... take an entire stick of butter (or more depending on the size of your bird) and place it in a food processor or blender. Blend in a handful - Read more ...
  2. Val Nov 19, 2007 09:33 PM
    We had an early Thanksgiving feast this year with family and at the last minute, my sister, who was supposed to bring the turkey, went to the hospital and I told her not to worry about a thing. I have never cooked a turkey before and had no idea what I was doing! I looked - Read more ...
  3. ruthanne Aug 19, 2006 11:16 PM
    The turkey in this recipe definitely comes out moist with good flavour. However I like a nice rich gravy and all the chicken stock watered it down too much. I had to doctor the gravy with seasonings and browning sauce. Next time I might try less stock and add it a little at a time - Read more ...
  4. GORNY Apr 26, 2005 02:16 AM
    If you customize this recipe for a larger turkey....DO NOT INCREASE THE SALT TO THE RECOMMENDED PORTION. Season it as you would to your personal taste. I made this mistake and my gravy was sooooo salty. Big mistake!
  5. NCHATIN1 Mar 27, 2005 08:44 AM
    This recipe turned out great! I added 1 tsp. garlic powder to the water along with the bouillon, parsley and onion. Put fresh rosemary under the breast skin with the butter. Also placed a quartered lemon and quartered onion inside the cavity. Used a 12 lb. bird as recommended and it was done in 3 - Read more ...
  6. JANINE PERKINS Nov 15, 2003 12:57 AM
    This is a wonderful recipe for beginners as well as the experienced cook. I put this bird in the oven, went to the movies, came back to a moist succulent turkey. It's that easy. I put butter under the skin of the legs too (in total I use 1 cube for the entire bird). I - Read more ...
  7. CARISSA650 Nov 12, 2003 12:57 PM
    I had never cooked a turkey before, and decided to try this recipe when I made Thanksgiving dinner for 28 people! EVERYONE loved it, and some even said it was the best they'd ever had! I've used it every year since. Using a cooking bag really helps to seal in the flavor, making the meat - Read more ...
  8. DYLNIC Nov 12, 2003 12:54 PM
    I cannot believe I forgot to rate this. I made this for Thanksgiving. My second time ever making turkey. THIS is BY FAR The BEST turkey I have ever had. All anyone could say is how great it was. It actually was not dry and had flavor. I put a little more butter than it - Read more ...
  9. BMDSINGLE Nov 12, 2003 02:33 AM
    This was the best turkey I have ever made or eaten. I could not believe how moist and tender the breast was! My thanksgiving was made perfect with this delicious bird. Everyone asked how I did it, even my elderly aunt, who is the best cook ever, raved about it. I used about a stick - Read more ...
  10. SIERRAMUM Apr 19, 2003 05:23 PM
    I don't eat turkey, but coooked this for the big family Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone loved this, even my mainly vegetarian niece who tried a little bit. My sister said the meat was so tender it melted in her mouth and hubby was able to use the cooking liquid to make a killer gravy! Instead of - Read more ...

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