Easy Beginner's Turkey with Stuffing

This easy turkey and stuffing recipe is perfect for beginners looking for step-by-step instructions to roast a juicy Thanksgiving stuffed turkey.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 4 hr
• Calories: 835 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped celery
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 12 pounds whole turkey
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 (6 ounce) package dry bread stuffing mix
• 4 slices toasted white bread, torn into small pieces
• 0.25 cup chopped onion
• 1.5 cups water

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring water and 4 tablespoons butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in stuffing mix, cover, remove from the heat, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Step 3

While stuffing is resting, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 4

Add celery and onion to the stuffing. Mix in toasted bread pieces and season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Loosely scoop stuffing into the body and neck cavities of the turkey. Rub exterior of the turkey with vegetable oil and loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Step 6

Remove and discard giblets. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan.

Step 7

Roast turkey in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C) and the interior of the stuffing reaches 165 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 3 ½ to 4 hours. Remove foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to brown the skin.

Step 8

Let the turkey rest, covered loosely with foil, before carving.