This Low Calorie Roasted Turkey recipe uses limited ingredients, requires just a few steps, and can be easy enough for a new cook!
I took all of the guess work out cooking turkey, so you have a perfect holiday main course without all the difficulty.
Along with this easy recipe for turkey, you’ll learn the cooking time for turkey (for all sizes). How often you should be basting a turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, or any holiday meal. And how to cook a turkey without adding extra calories.
I took all of the oil out of this best turkey recipe, and instead baste it in the fat it renders as it cooks. This results in a perfectly crispy, low calorie baked turkey recipe that everyone will love.
Low Calorie Roasted Turkey
Roasting a turkey is a daunting task the first time, that’s why I made this thanksgiving turkey recipe extra simple, with limited ingredients and easy to follow directions.
The first time I roasted a turkey I was terrified, but now it’s my favorite thing to cook. I often make a turkey a week once they’re available at the store during holiday season.
I have made harder turkey recipes, including brining a turkey (recipe is in my cookbook Lose Weight By Eating) and I have whipped it up fast and easy like this turkey recipe. Trust me, I will show you this large dish is much easier to make, and can even be fun!
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients in Healthy Roasted Turkey
I like to keep the ingredients for roasted turkey simple, and minimal. This helps save money, time, and for new cooks, it makes the recipe much easier.
Plus, turkey has such a wonderful flavor on its own. You don’t need to add a lot of ingredients to make a holiday turkey delicious.
Shopping List for Skinny Turkey Recipe:
- Turkey (any size)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon
- Garlic cloves
- Rosemary
- Sage leaves
How to Make Healthy Roasted Turkey
Whether you’re making a turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just as a weekend dinner, these easy directions will help you make the best turkey recipe ever!
Below you will learn how to make a turkey, and in the section below you will find turkey cook times.
How to Make a Healthy Roasted Turkey:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and place the turkey in a roasting pan.
- Remove any giblets from the inside of the turkey, then sprinkle salt and pepper all over the outside of the turkey.
- Use a find cheese grater to zest the lemon (I do this right over the turkey) and sprinkle all over the turkey. Cut the lemon into 6 wedges and place inside the turkey cavity.
- Add the garlic, rosemary, and sage to the turkey cavity and place in the oven.
- Roast for 30 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 degrees and roast for 2-5 hours, according to the times below. When the internal temp is 165 degrees, the turkey is done cooking.
- Baste the turkey every 30-60 minutes, both all over the outside, and inside the cavity.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
Turkey Cook Times
This easy guide for turkey cook times is based on 30 minutes at 450 degrees, followed by a slow roast at 325 degrees.
See more information in the recipe card below for cooking turkey in the oven…
- 8-12 pound turkey: about 2 hours
- 13-16 pound turkey: about 3 hours
- 17-20 pound turkey: about 4 hours
- 21-35 pound turkey: about 5 hours
Low Calorie Roasted Turkey Recipe
This low calorie turkey recipe is also one of the easiest you’ll ever make. As I noted above, I make several a year and this is by far one of the most flavorful recipes for holiday turkey I’ve ever made. I know you’ll love it!
Low Calorie Holiday Side Dishes:
Low Calorie Roasted Turkey
Equipment
- Roasting Pan
- Citrus zester
- turkey baster
Ingredients
- 1 turkey thawed (any size)
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 10 fresh sage leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and place the turkey in a roasting pan.
- Remove any giblets from the inside of the turkey, then sprinkle salt and pepper all over the outside of the turkey.
- Use a find cheese grater to zest the lemon (I do this right over the turkey) and sprinkle all over the turkey. Cut the lemon into 6 wedges and place inside the turkey cavity.
- Add the garlic, rosemary, and sage to the turkey cavity and place in the oven.
- Roast for 30 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 degrees and roast for 2-5 hours, according to the times below. When the internal temp is 165 degrees, the turkey is done cooking.
- Baste the turkey every 30-60 minutes, both all over the outside, and inside the cavity.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
Turkey Cook Times:
- 8-12 pound turkey: about 2 hours
- 13-16 pound turkey: about 3 hours
- 17-20 pound turkey: about 4 hours
- 21-35 pound turkey: about 5 hours
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Roasted Turkey
What to Read Next:
Lose Weight By Eating Cookbooks
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Article History:
- Originally written and published November 19, 2020 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on August 24, 2023 by Audrey Johns
