Description
This Easy Roast Turkey is a classic whole turkey rubbed with garlic herb butter, stuffed with lemon and fresh herbs, then roasted until golden and juicy. It is simple enough for a first holiday roast but polished enough for a big family table.
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey, 14 to 16 pounds, thawed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
- 1 lemon, halved
- A few sprigs each fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary
- 1 head garlic, broken into peeled cloves
Instructions
- Prep the turkey: Remove the neck and giblets, then pat the turkey very dry inside and out. Let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour while the oven heats to 325°F.
- Mix the herb butter: Stir the softened butter with sage, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Season the bird: Season the cavity and outside with salt and pepper. Gently loosen the skin over the breast, rub some herb butter underneath, then spread the rest over the outside.
- Fill and roast: Place the lemon halves, herb sprigs, and peeled garlic cloves inside the cavity. Set the turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan and roast for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
- Baste and protect: Spoon pan juices over the turkey every 45 minutes. Tent loosely with foil if the skin gets deeply golden before the meat is done.
- Rest before carving: Cook until the breast and thigh reach 165°F, then rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving so the juices settle.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: easy roast turkey