Lemon-Sage Turkey

From Country Living

Active time: 10 minutes

Total time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Makes 12 main-dish servings plus leftovers

1/3 cup dried sage

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

3 tsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. grated lemon zest

4 Tbsp. olive oil

1 (12-lb.) fresh or frozen (thawed) turkey

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. In spice grinder, pulse dried sage, salt, and pepper until coarsely ground, about 4 times.
3. In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, oil, and 5 tablespoons of the spice mixture. Rub mixture over turkey.
4. Roast turkey about 2 1/2 hours. Start checking for doneness during last 30 minutes of cooking. Turkey is done when temperature on meat thermometer, inserted into thickest part of thigh next to body (not touching bone), reaches 175° to 180°F and breast temperature reaches 165°F. (Internal temperature of turkey will rise 5° to 10°F upon standing.)