Oven Baked Turkey Recipe

[BlueOvalFitter]

I have a 14 lb. turkey in my freezer that I won at our apt. Christmas party in 2017. I want to prepare it in a way that I have NEVER prepared a turkey before, in the oven. Most of the time I fry them, and smoke them. I have eaten oven baked turkey a few times, but it was too dry to my liking. Is it supposed to be dry, or moist? I have a cajun injector that I can inject some good Tony Chachere marinade into the turkey to give it some juice.
Any good oven recipes are greatly appreciated.

 

[SZR48207]

A cajun fella like you don't need to be oven cooking no turkey. Deep fry it like you've been doing - you will hate a dry oven turkey.

 

[maxdustington]

I've never had it any other way than oven baked. I've eaten quite a few dry birds in my life.
I would love a fried or smoked, but my fam is scared of new ideas.

 

[ZZman]

Inject and do lots of basting.

 

[pandus13]

BOF,

since you never done the turkey oven yet, I would cut it into pieces (breast, quarter legs, rest),

Use the bones for a good broth base..

Use a dutch oven with a good cover, bast it and marinate it with your available spices (don't forget to use 1 pound of butter with various greens/leafs)

It won't look nice and whole, but it will be delicious....

P.S. Please tell me that you as a Cajun will have some shrimp/crawfish next to it....

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: pandus13
BOF,

since you never done the turkey oven yet, I would cut it into pieces (breast, quarter legs, rest),

Use the bones for a good broth base..

Use a dutch oven with a good cover, bast it and marinate it with your available spices (don't forget to use 1 pound of butter with various greens/leafs)

It won't look nice and whole, but it will be delicious....

P.S. Please tell me that you as a Cajun will have some shrimp/crawfish next to it....

Ah, Mais oui!
This is too funny! About 10-12 years ago my son and I came to La. for Christmas. Along with my sisters and brother we were going to have dinner at my parents house. My sister decided to bake her very first oven turkey. When my dad went to cut it he pulled some paper with lumps in it from the cavity. It was the turkey's insides my sister forgot to remove!

So, you see, it might run in the family.

 

[sleddriver]

Thawing it will take days. Then I'd suggest either brining or salting to keep it moist. Don't do either however if it's one of those 'enhanced' birds. Check Cook's Illustrated or serious eats for oven ideas.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: pandus13
BOF,

since you never done the turkey oven yet, I would cut it into pieces (breast, quarter legs, rest),

Use the bones for a good broth base..

Use a dutch oven with a good cover, bast it and marinate it with your available spices (don't forget to use 1 pound of butter with various greens/leafs)

It won't look nice and whole, but it will be delicious....

P.S. Please tell me that you as a Cajun will have some shrimp/crawfish next to it....

Ah, Mais oui!
This is too funny! About 10-12 years ago my son and I came to La. for Christmas. Along with my sisters and brother we were going to have dinner at my parents house. My sister decided to bake her very first oven turkey. When my dad went to cut it he pulled some paper with lumps in it from the cavity. It was the turkey's insides my sister forgot to remove!

So, you see, it might run in the family.

...It's better then the chicken that got 13 legs (true story).... or 4 hearts, 5 livers and 2 gizzards (another true story)....

 

[JLawrence08648]

The only way to get moist turkey, also chicken, is brining, in water, salt, sugar, and seasonings.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

This may sound unusual, but I've used it dozens of times and it works excellently, foolproof really, and super easy. Put the turkey in a paper bag (paper sack to Americans).

No, it won't burn. Remember Farenheit 454 (book, movie)? ... that's the temperature that paper burns. Keep the temps below that and you're golden. No basting required, set and forget, 20 mins a pound. No moisture loss. Just fold the open end under the bird.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
This may sound unusual, but I've used it dozens of times and it works excellently, foolproof really, and super easy. Put the turkey in a paper bag (paper sack to Americans).

No, it won't burn. Remember Farenheit 454 (book, movie)? ... that's the temperature that paper burns. Keep the temps below that and you're golden. No basting required, set and forget, 20 mins a pound. No moisture loss. Just fold the open end under the bird.

DING, DING, DING, we have a winner!
I will be trying this recipe. Do you prep the turkey in any particular way prior? What oven temperature would you recommend I use? Any more information you can provide would greatly be appreciated.

 

[volk06]

If I have to cook it in the oven, I use an oven bag and place it in a roaster. I also stuff the breast with butter that I mixed seasoning in with. Nice and juicy turkey. Not as good as fried or smoked but serviceable.