Ingredients
– 1 turkey, 12 to 20 pounds
– 1 onion, peeled and quartered
– 1 lemon, quartered
– 1 apple, quartered
– 0.75 ounce fresh rosemary
– 0.75 ounce fresh thyme
– 0.75 ounce fresh sage
– 1 cup softened butter for herb butter
– 1 teaspoon salt for herb butter
– 0.5 teaspoon pepper for herb butter
– 6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced for herb butter
– Fresh chopped herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage for herb butter amounts as needed based on preference
Instructions
1-Start by thawing your turkey safely in the fridge, giving it 24 hours for every 5 pounds, plus an extra day to be safe. Remove it from the fridge about an hour before cooking so it reaches room temperature. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and set the rack in the center for even heat.
2-Next, prepare the herb butter by mixing 1 cup of softened butter with 1 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon pepper, 6 to 8 minced garlic cloves, and fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Take out the neck and giblets from the turkey, then pat it dry with paper towels. Season the inside with salt and pepper, and stuff it with the quartered lemon, onion, apple, and the remaining fresh herbs.
3-Loosen the skin over the breast and spread some herb butter underneath for extra flavor. Tuck the wings under to keep them from burning, and place the turkey on a roasting rack or a bed of chopped vegetables like carrots, onion, and celery in the pan. Microwave the rest of the herb butter for 30 seconds to soften, then brush it all over the turkey.
4-Roast it for 13 to 15 minutes per pound until it hits 165 degrees F in the breast and thigh. Check halfway through; once the skin is golden, cover the breast with foil to avoid overcooking. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving, and save the drippings for gravy. This method keeps things simple and ensures juicy results every time.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ฆ Plan 1.5 pounds of turkey per person for ample servings and leftovers.
๐ซ Avoid washing turkey to prevent contamination; dry with paper towels instead.
๐ก๏ธ Use a meat thermometer; remove turkey at 160ยฐF and let rest to reach 165ยฐF for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 576
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 518 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 70 g
- Cholesterol: 264 mg
