How to Cook a Turkey

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2 . Stage

Place onion, celery, and carrot in a large, shallow roasting pan.

3 . Stage

Place turkey, breast-side up, on top of vegetables in the roasting pan. Pat outside and inside of turkey dry with paper towels.

4 . Stage

Combine salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Season inside of turkey with about 1/3 of the salt mixture. Fold wing tips under bird.

5 . Stage

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until edges turn golden, about 2 minutes. Add rosemary and sage; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

6 . Stage

Place rosemary and sage inside cavity of turkey; reserve melted butter. Tie turkey legs together with twine.

7 . Stage

Brush melted butter over turkey. Season with the remaining salt mixture.

8 . Stage

Bake turkey, uncovered, in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 3 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).

9 . Stage

Remove turkey from the oven and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS