Herb-Roasted Turkey
On December 14, 2023 by userHerb-roasted turkey is a classic and flavorful option for a festive meal, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving. Here’s a simple recipe to help you prepare a delicious herb-roasted turkey:
Ingredients:
For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Stuffing (Optional):
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4 sprigs fresh sage
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Prepare the Turkey:
a. Remove the turkey from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Make sure to remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
b. Season the inside of the turkey cavity with salt and pepper.
c. If desired, stuff the turkey cavity with quartered onion, quartered lemon, and fresh herb sprigs (sage, rosemary, thyme).
3. Make the Herb Butter:
a. In a bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped sage, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well.
4. Prepare the Turkey for Roasting:
a. Carefully separate the skin from the breast meat by gently sliding your fingers between the skin and the meat.
b. Rub about half of the herb butter mixture under the skin, spreading it evenly over the breast meat.
c. Rub the remaining herb butter mixture over the outside of the turkey.
5. Roast the Turkey:
a. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up.
b. Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
c. Roast in the preheated oven, calculating about 15 minutes of cooking time per pound. Remember to remove the foil during the last hour of roasting to allow the skin to brown.
d. Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
e. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let it Rest:
Allow the turkey to rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
7. Carve and Serve:
Carve the turkey, arrange the slices on a serving platter, and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with your favorite side dishes.
Enjoy your herb-roasted turkey with family and friends!