The Attention-Hungry Turkey of Moistness

I made this at a Christmas party last year. It was the first time I'd ever done a turkey by myself, and my mother told me I was basting too much. I showed her; it was the most tender turkey any of the guests had ever had. Better than the woodchips she fed us every Christmas Day!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 883 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• ½ cup softened butter
• 8 cups prepared stuffing

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Set oven rack to the lowest position so the turkey will fit.

Step 2

Rinse the turkey and pat dry. Place in a large roasting pan and loosely fill the cavity with stuffing. Rub butter all over the outside, and season with salt and pepper. Use a large sheet of aluminum foil to make a tent over the bird.

Step 3

Place in the preheated oven, and here's where it gets interesting. Baste every 5 to 10 minutes - everywhere! Whenever you're not doing something, baste! If you are too busy to baste, take turns with someone else. After 2 hours, remove the foil tent. Keep roasting until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken in the thickest part of the thigh. It should take about 4 hours total.