Step 1
The night before you roast the turkey, make sure it is fully defrosted (a frozen bird must go in the fridge three to four days ahead to thaw). Remove the contents from the cavity. Discard the giblets and reserve the neck. Rub the turkey all over with several generous pinches of salt, including a few under the skin covering the breast. Place in a dish or on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the next day.
Step 2
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (it will take at least 20 minutes to warm up) and place a rack in the lower third.
Step 3
Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels and tuck the wing tips back and underneath. Rub a generous amount of vegetable oil inside the cavity, all over the outside, and under the skin, then season well with salt and pepper, including inside the cavity.
Step 4
Break the butter into little chunks and place them under the skin covering the breast. Put the lemon, onion, and celery inside the cavity.
Step 5
Place the turkey breast down on the roasting rack, and put the reserved neck in the bottom of the pan. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes, basting the turkey every 20 minutes once the pan juices accumulate.
Step 6
After 45 minutes, flip the turkey onto its back and continue to baste and roast for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Step 7
When a meat thermometer inserted into the inner thigh registers 170 degrees Fahrenheit and the juices run clear, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
