Roast Turkey Recipe
There’s nothing quite like bringing a golden, juicy turkey to the table and watching your family’s faces light up! This Roast Turkey Recipe is one of those showstopper dishes that turns holidays into lifelong memories and Sunday dinners into something truly special. With aromatic herbs, buttery skin, and moist, flavorful meat, this classic technique ensures you get all the festive aromas and crisp perfection you crave, without fuss or fear. Whether it’s your first time tackling a turkey or you’re looking to master that ultimate centerpiece, this method is approachable, delicious, and sure to earn you rave reviews.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Roast Turkey Recipe lies in thoughtful, simple ingredients. Each element brings its own unique flavor, infusing the turkey from crisp skin to tender meat, and creating pan drippings that are perfect for mouthwatering gravy.
- Turkey (12–14 pounds, thawed): The star of your feast; choose a fresh or fully thawed bird for even roasting and the juiciest results.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Smoothed directly under and over the skin, the butter creates a golden, flavorful crust.
- Salt (1 tablespoon): Essential for seasoning the meat thoroughly and drawing out its natural flavors.
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon): Adds a gentle heat and depth that balances the herbs beautifully.
- Garlic powder (1 tablespoon): Delivers savory, roasted notes that infuse the meat under the skin.
- Onion powder (2 teaspoons): Rounds out the seasoning, mingling with the garlic for a subtle background flavor.
- Fresh thyme (1 tablespoon, or 1 teaspoon dried): Bright and earthy, thyme brings a fresh, herbaceous aroma.
- Fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon, or 1 teaspoon dried): This woody herb is classic with turkey, lending resinous, piney notes.
- Fresh sage (1 tablespoon, or 1 teaspoon dried): Sage deepens the savory profile, bringing warmth and tradition to every bite.
- Onion (1, quartered): Goes straight into the cavity, releasing sweetness while subtly scenting the meat.
- Lemon (1, halved): A fresh twist of citrus vaporizes inside the turkey, keeping it light and lively.
- Garlic (1 head, halved): Expands those rich roasted flavors from the inside out.
- Celery stalks (2–3, chopped): Roasted in the pan for an aromatic base, and delicious in the drippings for gravy.
- Carrots (2–3, chopped): Lend a touch of sweetness as they cook under the turkey, perfect for flavor-rich gravy later.
- Low-sodium chicken broth (2 cups): Moistens the vegetables under the turkey and keeps the pan from burning, adding savory notes to drippings.
How to Make Roast Turkey Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Turkey
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey’s cavity and give the bird a little spa treatment by patting it dry with paper towels. This helps the butter and seasonings cling to the skin, ensuring a crisp, golden finish as your turkey roasts.
Step 2: Mix the Herb Butter
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and sage. This mixture will be your flavor powerhouse, infusing every layer of the turkey, inside and out, with aromatic goodness. The vibrant herbs and rich butter are what make this Roast Turkey Recipe stand out from the rest!
Step 3: Season Under and Over the Skin
Gently loosen the turkey skin over the breast with your fingers, creating a pocket. Rub half of the herbed butter directly under the skin, packing those flavors right next to the meat. Spread the remaining butter generously over the entire outside of the bird for that irresistible, crackly skin everyone fights over.
Step 4: Fill the Cavity with Aromatics
Stuff the turkey’s cavity with the quartered onion, halved lemon, and halved head of garlic. As the turkey roasts, these aromatics steam from the inside, bathing the meat in subtle flavors and keeping everything nice and juicy.
Step 5: Prepare the Roasting Pan
Scatter the chopped celery and carrots in the bottom of a large roasting pan, then pour in the chicken broth. Not only does this prevent drippings from burning, but it also creates a savory base for delicious gravy later. Position a roasting rack over the vegetables and nestle your turkey on top.
Step 6: Roast the Turkey
Loosely cover the turkey with foil to help retain moisture during the first stretch of roasting. Slide it into the oven and roast for about 3 to 3.5 hours, basting every 30 to 45 minutes with pan juices. This keeps the meat moist and bastes it in those flavorful drippings. For perfectly brown skin, remove the foil during the last 45 minutes, letting the turkey finish uncovered until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thigh.
Step 7: Rest and Carve
Patience pays off here! Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes once it’s out of the oven. This gives the juices time to redistribute through the meat, guaranteeing every slice is succulent. Carve and serve, and prepare yourself for a table of happy faces.
How to Serve Roast Turkey Recipe
Garnishes
A beautiful garnish can make your Roast Turkey Recipe even more stunning. Try scattering fresh sprigs of thyme, rosemary, or sage around the platter for a pop of color and enticing aroma. For a festive touch, add a few lemon wedges or a scattering of ruby pomegranate seeds to complement the golden-brown skin.
Side Dishes
This turkey is heavenly served alongside classic sides: think velvety mashed potatoes, rich gravy made from the pan drippings, fluffy stuffing, tart cranberry sauce, and garlicky green beans. These accompaniments soak up the savory juices and round out the comforting experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant spread, carve the turkey and fan slices on a large board with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs tucked artfully around them. Or go family-style and bring the entire bird to the table for everyone to admire before carving — a tradition that always gets everyone excited for dinner!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover turkey within two hours of serving, storing the slices in airtight containers. To keep it extra moist, spoon some gravy or pan juices over the turkey before sealing. Properly stored, turkey will last three to four days in the fridge.
Freezing
Want to enjoy your Roast Turkey Recipe later? Simply portion the cooled meat into freezer bags, squeezing out as much air as possible. Freeze for up to three months; when you’re ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to retain its tenderness.
Reheating
To reheat turkey without drying it out, place slices in a baking dish with a splash of chicken broth or gravy, cover tightly with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through. This method refreshes the flavors and gives leftover meat a second life!
FAQs
How can I make sure my Roast Turkey Recipe turns out moist?
The key is to not overcook the bird, to baste every 30-45 minutes with pan juices, and to let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Using a meat thermometer to check the thigh’s internal temperature is a surefire way to ensure perfect doneness.
Should I brine my turkey before roasting?
Brining the turkey overnight can add flavor and moisture, but it’s not absolutely required. This Roast Turkey Recipe is delicious with just a well-seasoned butter rub — but brining is a great option for an extra juicy result if you have the time!
What if I don’t have a roasting rack?
No rack? No problem! Just set the turkey directly on top of the bed of chopped celery and carrots. The vegetables will lift the bird off the pan, allow heat to circulate, and become extra flavorful for gravy.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Dried herbs are more potent, so use about a third of the amount of fresh. They’ll still give your Roast Turkey Recipe that classic holiday aroma and fantastic flavor.
What can I do with the leftover turkey bones and veggies?
Don’t toss those treasures! Simmer the bones, leftover vegetables, and drippings in water to create a deeply flavorful homemade turkey stock — perfect for soups and sauces for days after your feast.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for the gold-standard Roast Turkey Recipe, this one promises delicious success and confident cooking, every single time. Give it a go, savor every bite, and let it be the showpiece that brings your friends and family together in all the best ways. Happy roasting!
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Roast Turkey Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This easy roast turkey recipe yields a perfectly moist and flavorful bird, making it an ideal centerpiece for Thanksgiving or any special occasion. With a herb-infused butter rub and aromatic vegetables, this roast turkey is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 1 head of garlic (halved)
- 2–3 celery stalks (chopped)
- 2–3 carrots (chopped)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Prepare Turkey: Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Make Herb Butter: Mix softened butter with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
- Season Turkey: Gently lift turkey skin and rub half of butter mixture underneath. Rub remaining butter over the outside.
- Stuff Turkey: Fill cavity with onion, lemon, and garlic.
- Prepare Pan: Place chopped celery and carrots in roasting pan, add chicken broth.
- Roast Turkey: Set turkey on rack over vegetables, cover loosely with foil, roast for 3–3.5 hours at 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove foil, brown skin for 45 minutes. Rest turkey for 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Brining the turkey overnight enhances flavor.
- Basting every 30–45 minutes helps maintain moisture.
- Save pan drippings and vegetables for gravy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 ounces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
