Roast an old-fashioned turkey by covering the breast with thin slices of salt pork or bacon to keep the meat moist, roasting it at a moderate temperature, and browning the skin at the end. Ingredients1 whole turkey (12 to 14 pounds), neck and giblets reservedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 pound salt pork, rind removed and cut into thin slices (or thick-cut bacon)1 large onion, quartered2 stalks celery, choppedFresh herbs (sage, thyme, and rosemary sprigs)Kitchen twine InstructionsPrep the Oven and Bird: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Clean the turkey, remove the giblets, and pat the dry interior and exterior thoroughly with paper towels. Season the cavity generously with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onion, celery, and fresh herb sprigs.Truss and Lard: Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips underneath the body. Lay the thin slices of salt pork or bacon directly over the entire turkey breast. This traditional "larding" technique melts rich fat slowly over the white meat to prevent it from drying out.Roast Low and Slow: Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast-side down (or breast-side up if you prefer traditional modern browning). Roast at 325°F for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches about 130°F (54°C).Crisp the Skin: Remove the pan from the oven and increase the temperature to 450°F (230°C). Carefully lift off and discard the salt pork slices. If the bird was breast-side down, gently flip it breast-side up. Return to the hot oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp, and a thermometer reads 160°F (71°C) in the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.Rest and Carve: Transfer the roasted turkey to a large cutting board and let it rest uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes before carving so the juices settle. Use the leftover pan drippings to whip up a classic homemade giblet gravy (i use cooking bags ,it makes the turkey more juicey and moist and you dont have to bast it all the time, buy a turkey cooking bag at the grocery store and you put 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in it and about a half cup of flour and you hold the opening close and shake the bag to put the oil and flour all over the inside of the cooking bag, and then you place the turkey in the bag and i use 4 butter cubes and i always use real butter and i place that in the cavity of the turkey add water about 4 cups of water in the bag maybe a little more and i always buy turkey rup spices to put on top of the turkey but before that i put oil on top of the turkey in the turkey bag all over the turkey then turkey rub spices them i close the bag and pock 4 holes in the top and put in the oven. now this actually cooks the turkey a little faster . Savory Turkey Rub IngredientsMix these individual McCormick spices together to create the classic blend:2 tbsp McCormick Poultry Seasoning (or Rubbed Sage)1 tbsp McCormick Paprika1 tbsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt2 tsp McCormick Garlic Powder1 tsp McCormick Ground Black Pepper3/4 tsp McCormick Ground Nutmeg Alternative Pre-Made BlendsIf you prefer a ready-made single jar rather than mixing spices, you can use:McCormick Poultry Seasoning (a traditional blend of thyme, sage, and other spices)McCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky Rub (often used for grilling or smoking poultry)

Roast an old-fashioned turkey by covering the breast with thin slices of salt pork or bacon to keep the meat moist, roasting it at a moderate temperature, and browning the skin at the end. Ingredients1 whole turkey (12 to 14 pounds), neck and giblets reservedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 pound salt pork, rind removed and cut into thin slices (or thick-cut bacon)1 large onion, quartered2 stalks celery, choppedFresh herbs (sage, thyme, and rosemary sprigs)Kitchen twine InstructionsPrep the Oven and Bird: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Clean the turkey, remove the giblets, and pat the dry interior and exterior thoroughly with paper towels. Season the cavity generously with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onion, celery, and fresh herb sprigs.Truss and Lard: Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips underneath the body. Lay the thin slices of salt pork or bacon directly over the entire turkey breast. This traditional "larding" technique melts rich fat slowly over the white meat to prevent it from drying out.Roast Low and Slow: Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast-side down (or breast-side up if you prefer traditional modern browning). Roast at 325°F for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches about 130°F (54°C).Crisp the Skin: Remove the pan from the oven and increase the temperature to 450°F (230°C). Carefully lift off and discard the salt pork slices. If the bird was breast-side down, gently flip it breast-side up. Return to the hot oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp, and a thermometer reads 160°F (71°C) in the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.Rest and Carve: Transfer the roasted turkey to a large cutting board and let it rest uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes before carving so the juices settle. Use the leftover pan drippings to whip up a classic homemade giblet gravy (i use cooking bags ,it makes the turkey more juicey and moist and you dont have to bast it all the time, buy a turkey cooking bag at the grocery store and you put 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in it and about a half cup of flour and you hold the opening close and shake the bag to put the oil and flour all over the inside of the cooking bag, and then you place the turkey in the bag and i use 4 butter cubes and i always use real butter and i place that in the cavity of the turkey add water about 4 cups of water in the bag maybe a little more and i always buy turkey rup spices to put on top of the turkey but before that i put oil on top of the turkey in the turkey bag all over the turkey then turkey rub spices them i close the bag and pock 4 holes in the top and put in the oven. now this actually cooks the turkey a little faster . Savory Turkey Rub IngredientsMix these individual McCormick spices together to create the classic blend:2 tbsp McCormick Poultry Seasoning (or Rubbed Sage)1 tbsp McCormick Paprika1 tbsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt2 tsp McCormick Garlic Powder1 tsp McCormick Ground Black Pepper3/4 tsp McCormick Ground Nutmeg Alternative Pre-Made BlendsIf you prefer a ready-made single jar rather than mixing spices, you can use:McCormick Poultry Seasoning (a traditional blend of thyme, sage, and other spices)McCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky Rub (often used for grilling or smoking poultry)