Other
Thanksgiving Turkey
On December 12, 2023 by userHere’s a classic Thanksgiving turkey recipe for roasting. This recipe is for a simple and delicious roast turkey with a flavorful herb butter rub.
Ingredients:
For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds), thawed if frozen
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 large carrot, cut into chunks
- 1 celery stalk, cut into chunks
- 1 orange, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
- 4 cups chicken or turkey broth (for basting and gravy)
For the Herb Butter Rub:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare the Herb Butter:
- In a bowl, mix together softened butter, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the Turkey:
- Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
- Place the quartered onion, carrot, celery, orange, lemon, and fresh herbs inside the turkey cavity.
- Rub the Turkey:
- Carefully lift the skin from the turkey breast and rub half of the herb butter mixture directly onto the meat. Rub the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey.
- Truss the Turkey (Optional):
- Truss the turkey with kitchen twine to help it cook more evenly.
- Place in Roasting Pan:
- Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up.
- Basting:
- Pour the chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of the roasting pan. This will be used for basting and will help keep the turkey moist.
- Roast the Turkey:
- Roast in the preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C). The total cooking time will depend on the size of the turkey, usually 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
- Resting:
- Once done, transfer the turkey to a cutting board, tent it with foil, and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving.
- Carve and Serve:
- Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides and gravy.
Enjoy your delicious and beautifully roasted Thanksgiving turkey! Adjust the cooking times based on the size of your turkey and always use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature.