Description
This Thanksgiving Turkey recipe is a classic favorite for holiday dinners. The turkey is seasoned with a flavorful herb butter and roasted to perfection, resulting in a moist and delicious centerpiece for your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (12 to 14 pounds, thawed if frozen)
Herb Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
Additional:
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth (for basting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Turkey: Remove giblets and neck from the turkey. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Make Herb Butter: Mix softened butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, and sage in a bowl.
- Season Turkey: Gently loosen the skin and rub half of the herb butter under the skin and the other half over the turkey.
- Stuff Turkey: Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, and garlic.
- Roast Turkey: Place turkey on a roasting rack in a pan. Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 325°F. Baste every 30-45 minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Roast for 2.5 to 3 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest before carving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Let the turkey rest before carving.
- Save pan drippings for gravy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3.5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 ounces cooked turkey
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
