How to Roast a Healthy Turkey by Porter Health System

This recipe is brought to you by Porter Health System's Health eCooking.

Use these pointers on selecting and cooking a healthy turkey for Thanksgiving dinner without added less salt, fat and cholesterol.

Select a fresh turkey that hasn’t been soaked or injected with a brine solution.

Choose the right size: One pound of turkey will yield one to two servings. (Don’t forget to add a little extra for those all-important leftovers.)

Add a half-inch of water or reduced-salt chicken broth to the bottom of your roasting pan to keep the turkey moist without extra salt.

Rub the bird with olive oil or canola oil to get a crisp, browned skin.

Generously sprinkle chopped fresh garlic, and fresh herbs of choice - – parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, etc. They add taste without increasing sodium.

Roast in 325˚ oven approximately 20 minutes per pound. To prevent foodborne illness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. It should read 165˚ before you pull the bird out of the oven.

Baste regularly while roasting. If the turkey gets too brown, cover with an aluminum foil tent. Add more water or broth to pan as necessary during cooking process.

If you’re using the drippings from the pan to make gravy, let the fat settle first and pour it off. (See our “Gluten Free Turkey Gravy” recipe for more.)

Carve and enjoy!