How do you properly prepare and cook a turkey, including the process of gutting a turkey?

To properly prepare and cook a turkey, start by thawing it in the refrigerator. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat it dry. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs. Place the turkey breast side up in a roasting pan and roast in the oven at 325F until the internal temperature reaches 165F. To gut a turkey, carefully cut open the cavity and remove the organs, then rinse the cavity thoroughly.