Juicy Herb-Infused Roast Turkey for the Holidays Recipe
This Roast Turkey recipe delivers a juicy and flavorful centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings. Infused with fresh herbs and garlic butter, the turkey is roasted to golden perfection, ensuring tender meat with a crisp, aromatic skin.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 1 (14-16 pound) whole turkey
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, halved
- Fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary sprigs
- 1 head garlic, cloves peeled
Herb Butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Turkey and Butter: Let the turkey and the softened butter sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps the herb butter spread easily.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and adjust the oven rack to the lower third position to accommodate the turkey.
- Make Herb Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened butter with the chopped fresh sage, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly to infuse the flavors.
- Season Turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Season the inside cavity and the outside of the turkey generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, fresh herb sprigs, and peeled garlic cloves for added aroma.
- Apply Herb Butter: Carefully rub the prepared herb butter under the skin of the turkey and all over the outside surface. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and tie the legs with kitchen twine if desired for even cooking.
- Roast Setup: Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Immediately reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) to begin cooking gently.
- Roasting: Roast the turkey for approximately 13 minutes per pound, which will be about 3 hours for a 14-pound turkey. When the skin turns golden brown, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
- Check for Doneness and Rest: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thigh reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once done, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Allowing the turkey and butter to come to room temperature prevents chilling the oven and ensures more even cooking.
- Using fresh herbs and garlic inside the cavity infuses the meat with subtle aromatic flavors.
- Tenting with foil once the skin is browned helps maintain moisture while preventing burning.
- Resting the turkey is crucial to keep the meat juicy when sliced.
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness rather than relying on time alone.
Keywords: Roast Turkey, Holiday Turkey Recipe, Herb Butter Turkey, Juicy Roasted Turkey, Thanksgiving Turkey