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Juicy Herb Butter Roasted Whole Turkey

Close-up of a juicy herb butter turkey breast roast, showing the perfectly cooked white meat inside.
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Follow this simple method to create a perfectly moist and flavorful whole roasted turkey with crispy, golden skin, ideal for your holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup chicken or turkey broth

Instructions

  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from the body cavity. Pat the entire turkey skin dry using paper towels. This step helps achieve crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until you have an even herb butter.
  3. Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast and thighs using your fingers. Rub about half of the herb butter mixture directly onto the meat under the skin. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey skin.
  4. Place the quartered onion, carrots, and celery inside the turkey cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine if desired.
  5. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  6. Roast the turkey for approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste the turkey with pan drippings every 45 minutes.
  7. If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
  8. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This resting period is key for a juicy turkey.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can place the turkey in the refrigerator uncovered overnight after applying the herb butter.
  • If you prefer a glazed turkey finish, brush the turkey with a cranberry glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Use the pan drippings to make a simple gravy to serve alongside the moist turkey meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishsymphony.com/juicy-herb-butter-roasted-whole-turkey/