Thanksgiving Turkey

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place rack in the lowest position of the oven.

Step 2: Remove the turkey neck and giblets, rinse the turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Loosely fill the body cavity with stuffing of your choice. Rub the skin with the softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Position an aluminum foil tent over the turkey.

Step 3: Place the turkey in the oven, and pour 2 cups of turkey stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 to 2 cups at a time. Remove aluminum foil after 2 1/2 hours. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F, about 4 hours.

Step 4: Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter, and let it stand for at least 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Enjoy this go-to Thanksgiving turkey recipe from AllRecipes!