Description
Classic roast turkey for Thanksgiving brings festive comfort to family gatherings. Herb-seasoned and golden-brown, this beloved centerpiece delivers traditional flavors that connect generations around the holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs / 5.4–6.3 kg), thawed
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (473 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried sage
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, and sage) for stuffing the cavity
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 325F (165C), establishing an optimal roasting atmosphere for the thanksgiving centerpiece.
- Turkey Preparation: Pat turkey dry, remove neck and giblets, season internal cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff with quartered lemon, chopped onion, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs to enhance flavor profile.
- Herb Butter Creation: Blend softened butter with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, rosemary, and sage until thoroughly combined.
- Butter Application: Carefully separate skin from breast meat, generously spread herbed butter underneath and across the entire turkey surface, creating a protective flavor-enhancing layer.
- Trussing: Secure wing tips underneath the body, tie legs with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking and uniform heat distribution.
- Roasting Process: Place turkey on a roasting rack in a pan, surrounding with low-sodium chicken broth. Roast approximately 15 minutes per pound, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 165F (74C) in the thickest thigh section.
- Finishing Touch: If skin browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil. Once cooked, remove from oven and let rest, tented with foil for 20-30 minutes to redistribute juices, ensuring a tender and succulent holiday centerpiece ready for serving.
Notes
Prevent Dryness: Create a moisture barrier by generously applying herbed butter under and over the skin, ensuring a juicy, flavorful turkey that doesn’t become tough or bland.
Precise Temperature Monitoring: Use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding undercooking or overcooking which can compromise taste and safety.
Herb Butter Mastery: Soften butter completely before mixing herbs to achieve a smooth, evenly distributed seasoning that penetrates deeply into the meat for maximum flavor infusion.
Rest and Redistribute: Allow the turkey to rest after roasting, which allows juices to settle back into the meat, preventing dryness and ensuring each slice remains tender and succulent when carved.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (for a 12-14 pound turkey)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg