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
Scale
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
