No brining, no basting, no stuffing - this is my easy, fuss-free recipe that lets the flavour shine and ensures the turkey is perfectly juicy.
Prep time: PT5M
Cook time: PT180M
Total time: PT185M
Rating
5 stars (10 reviews)
Keywords
Christmas dinner, thanksgiving, turkey day
Ingredients
1 turkey – approx 4.5kg/10lbs (see notes for different size turkeys)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
240 ml (1 cup) chicken stock (this can be warm or cold)
Categories
Dinner
Cuisine
British
Steps
Preheat the oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
Remove the giblets and neck (you can save these to make stock another time), tuck the tips of the legs into the cavity and tuck the tips of the wings underneath the bird.
Place the turkey on a large wire rack on top of a large roasting tray.
Rub the oil all over the turkey, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper.
Pour the stock into the base of the roasting tray.
Brush or spray the foil with a little more oil, then tent the foil over the turkey and the tray so there are no gaps. Try not to let the foil touch the turkey – this will allow steam to circulate around the turkey as it’s cooking. You will probably need to connect a couple of large pieces of foil together so it will fit – just roll and then scrunch the edges of the pieces of foil together so they stay connected.
Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 2 hours.
Remove the foil roast for a further hour.
Once the turkey is lovely and golden brown, remove from the oven and transfer to a warm serving plate.
Leave to rest for 30-60 minutes (I usually rest mine for about 45 minutes). This is ultra-important if you want a juicy turkey. The turkey will still be warm after this period (plus if you’re serving on warm plates with hot gravy you have nothing to worry about at all). There is no need to cover the turkey (unless you’re in a really cold room) during this time, as the internal temperature tends to rise a little more during the resting period, and covering with foil would just cook the turkey further and the skin will soften.
If you need more time to make roasties etc after the turkey comes out of the oven and think you might need to let the turkey rest for 60-90 minutes, then tent foil over the top, leaving space between the turkey and the foil (this is so any trapped steam on the foil isn’t touching the skin – which would make it go soggy).
Use the juices in the bottom of the tray to make gravy (or add these juices to gravy you’ve made ahead – check out my video for make-ahead Christmas gravy).
Serve with all of those wonderful side dishes for an amazing Christmas dinner.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 227 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Protein: 31 g
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 102 mg
Sodium: 487 mg
Sugar: 1 g
Reviews
Catherine on 2025-12-25 (5 stars): Just made this after looking through so many Christmas turkey recipes, as I do every year. In fact I've probably made every turkey recipe under the sun, but this one will now be my keeper. The turkey was juicy and perfectly cooked, and it was all so easy. Turns out turkey doesn't need to be slathered in butter or bacon or anything over complicated. Thank you for making my Christmas a whole lot easier.
Rachel on 2025-11-28 (5 stars): I don’t know if it was the turkey or this recipe, but my family and I agreed that this was the best turkey we ever had!
matthew west on 2024-12-27 (5 stars): this is now the only way I will ever roast a turkey .our 19lb bird was cooked to perfection with only the minimum of preparation required . it was a massive hit with everyone round the table . I am going to use some of the leftovers in your excellent chicken dhansak recipe which is a firm favourite
winny on 2024-12-22 (5 stars): Thanks a million 😊 🙏 ❤️
Linda on 2021-11-13 (5 stars): Oh gosh - I made 10 pounders twice and they were so good that my son insists I make the 22 pound turkey later this month. Any advice besides the added time (still remove foil in the last hour). I'm having performance anxiety. I looooove a bread/vegetable stuffing inside the bird but the recipe appears to discourage that. Is it doable? Any advice. (Your super simple recipe just got me onto the hot seat!)
Linda C Gilbert on 2021-08-29 (5 stars): NO ONE could believe how easy this was to make. My adult son said it was the best he ever had (I agree), and he has fussed over his for years, brining, adding wine, etc.
Sue on 2020-12-26 (5 stars): Great Turkey! It was moist and tender and perfect and easy peasy! Thank you Nicky and Chris! Happy New Year!!
Walter on 2020-12-08 (5 stars): my kind of preparation and completely agree with yr way of thinking
Thks and happy festivities
Veronica Ellis on 2020-12-07 (5 stars): Thank you, Excellent advice Nicky.
I rate the recipe 5 stars,
Thank you for all your useful tips and recipes.
Wishing you all the very best.
Janice on 2020-12-07 (5 stars): I totally agree. Minimum faff and maximum flavour. Great guide, thanks.