Savory Roast Turkey Recipe
Welcome to another delicious entry in our culinary diary! Today, I’m thrilled to share a classic that’s sure to make any gathering memorable—our Savory Roast Turkey recipe. This turkey is generously rubbed with a fresh, aromatic herb butter and roasted to golden perfection. Follow along to make your next feast unforgettable!
Ingredients:
- Whole Turkey: 1 (14-16 pound), see note below about preparation
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste
For the Herb Butter:
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
- Sage: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Thyme: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Rosemary: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
Inside the Turkey:
- Lemon: 1, halved
- Fresh Herbs: A few sprigs each of sage, thyme, and rosemary
- Garlic: 1 head, break into cloves and peel
Directions:
- Preparation: Remove the turkey from the fridge an hour before cooking to let it come to room temperature. Place it on a baking sheet.
- Herb Butter: In a bowl, mix the softened butter with chopped sage, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Oven Setup: Preheat the oven to 450°F and adjust the rack to the bottom third.
- Turkey Prep: Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey, drain any excess liquid, and pat the turkey dry. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff and Season: Stuff the turkey cavity with lemon halves, sprigs of herbs, and garlic cloves. Thoroughly rub the outside of the turkey with the prepared herb butter.
- Position for Roasting: Tuck the wings under the turkey and optionally tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Place the turkey breast side up on a rack in the roasting pan.
- Roasting: Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and roast for about 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 165°F. Cover with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
- Resting: Once cooked, let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Calories: 520 kcal per serving
- Servings: 10
This roast turkey is not only a showstopper by looks but also a guaranteed delight with its juicy, flavorful meat enhanced by the melange of herbs and garlic. Whether it’s a festive holiday or a special family dinner, this turkey will be the centerpiece that draws everyone to the table.
Happy cooking and enjoy your meal!
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Savory Roast Turkey
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
A delightful feast awaits with this Easy Roast Turkey, the epitome of Thanksgiving and holiday celebrations. Infused with a rich blend of fresh herbs, each bite offers a burst of savory flavors complemented by the subtle tang of lemon. This turkey not only promises to be the showstopper on your dining table but also ensures a moist, tender meat that’s perfectly cooked.
Ingredients
1 (14-16 pound) whole turkey, see note
Salt & pepper to taste
Herb butter:
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped finely
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped finely
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped finely
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Inside the turkey:
1 lemon, halved
A few sprigs each of fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary
1 head garlic, break into cloves and peel them
Instructions
Take the turkey out of the fridge and let it warm up for an hour. Set it on a baking sheet.
Soften the butter and mix with sage, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Preheat the oven to 450°F, adjust the rack to the bottom third.
Remove giblets and neck from the turkey, drain any excess liquid, and place it back on the baking sheet.
Pat the turkey dry, season with salt & pepper. Stuff the cavity with lemon, herbs, and garlic. Rub all over with herb butter.
Tuck the wings under and optionally tie the legs with kitchen twine.
Place the turkey on the roasting pan rack, breast side up.
Reduce the oven to 350°F and roast for about 3 hours, or until the thigh reaches 165°F.
Cover with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
Once done, rest the turkey for 20 minutes before carving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
Nutrition
- Calories: 520 kcal