Juicy Roasted Turkey (Print View)
Tender roasted turkey with flavorful herb butter and crispy skin, ideal for festive gatherings and special occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Turkey & Aromatics
01 - 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed if frozen
02 - 1 large onion, quartered
03 - 1 lemon, halved
04 - 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
05 - 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
06 - 6 sprigs fresh thyme
07 - 6 sprigs fresh sage
→ Butter Mixture
08 - 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2 tsp salt
10 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp paprika
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - Zest of 1 lemon
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
→ For Roasting
15 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
16 - 2 large carrots, cut into chunks
17 - 2 celery stalks, cut into chunks
18 - 1 onion, cut into wedges
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 325°F. Remove the turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
02 - In a bowl, combine softened butter, salt, pepper, paprika, dried thyme, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.
03 - Loosen the turkey skin over the breast and legs. Spread half the butter mixture under the skin and rub the remaining butter evenly over the turkey surface.
04 - Fill the cavity with quartered onion, lemon halves, halved garlic head, and fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage sprigs.
05 - Arrange carrots, celery, and onion wedges in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place a roasting rack over the vegetables and position the turkey breast-side up on the rack.
06 - Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the pan. Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body to ensure even cooking.
07 - Roast in the preheated oven. Baste with pan juices every 45 minutes. If the skin browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil to prevent burning.
08 - Continue roasting until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
09 - Transfer the turkey to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 30 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This turkey stays incredibly juicy inside while sporting the crispiest golden skin—a little secret that always impresses guests.
- The blend of fresh herbs and butter turns the flavor into a comforting hug for your taste buds.
02 -
- Brining the turkey overnight can elevate juiciness and flavor but skip salt in the butter mix if you do.
- Loosening the skin gently without tears makes all the difference in flavor infusion and moisture.
03 -
- Patting the turkey skin dry before applying butter ensures crispy golden skin every time.
- Using fresh herbs in the cavity imparts a garden-fresh aroma that makes this turkey irresistible.