There’s nothing quite like the smell of a roasted turkey to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving. But if you’re like me, you might not want to spend all day in the kitchen roasting one. That’s where Trader Joe’s comes in. They have a pre-brined turkey that is absolutely delicious.
The first step is to remove the turkey from the packaging and take out the giblets. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and pat it dry with a paper towel. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the turkey. If you have any extra, you can put it in the cavity of the bird.
Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Trader Joe’s brined turkey-
All Trader Joe’s turkeys are pre-brined, so there is no need to brine it yourself. The ingredients are simply water, salt, sugar, and spices. There is no need to add anything else.
Preparation-
The turkey can be roasted in a conventional oven or a slow cooker. If roasting in a conventional oven, the turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees for about 2-3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees. If cooking in a slow cooker, the turkey should be cooked on low for 6-8 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees.
Roasting-
The turkey can be roasted on a rack or in a roasting pan. If using a rack, the rack should be covered with foil to prevent the turkey from sticking. If using a roasting pan, the turkey should be placed in the pan with the breast side up. The pan should be filled with 1/2 cup of water.
Serving suggestions-
The roasted turkey can be served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy.
