Description
Thanksgiving gatherings reach delicious heights with this incredible roasted turkey, seasoned with herbs and butter. Juicy meat and crispy skin promise a memorable feast that will impress guests and make your holiday meal unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 (14 pounds/6.35 kilograms) whole turkey, thawed
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
Seasoning and Fat:
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) butter, softened
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the turkey by gently extracting the giblets and thoroughly patting the surface dry using clean paper towels, ensuring optimal seasoning adhesion.
- Generously massage softened butter across the entire turkey exterior, creating a rich, golden base for herb infusion. Sprinkle a fragrant blend of chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, evenly coating the skin for maximum flavor penetration.
- Carefully insert quartered lemon and onion into the turkey’s cavity, which will release aromatic essence during roasting and enhance overall taste profile.
- Position the turkey breast-side up on a sturdy roasting rack within a deep roasting pan, guaranteeing optimal heat circulation and even cooking.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 325F (165C) for approximately 3 hours, monitoring the internal temperature until it precisely reaches 165F (74C) in the thickest breast section.
- Once removed from the oven, allow the turkey to rest undisturbed for 20 minutes, enabling natural juice redistribution and ensuring succulent, tender meat before carving.
Notes
- Ensure turkey is completely thawed before cooking to guarantee even roasting and prevent bacterial growth.
- Use a meat thermometer for precise temperature checking, inserting it into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone.
- Baste the turkey every 45 minutes with pan drippings to maintain moisture and create a golden, crispy skin.
- For gluten-free and dairy-free variations, replace butter with olive oil and use herb-infused alternatives like coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg