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Herb Butter Roast Turkey for a Juicy Holiday Centerpiece

A cross-section of a juicy, herb-crusted turkey breast showing moist white meat on a white plate.
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Follow this tried-and-true recipe to roast a whole turkey coated in herb butter, ensuring moist meat and crispy skin for your Thanksgiving or holiday feast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, halved
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavities. Pat the entire turkey dry, inside and out, using paper towels. This step helps achieve crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix until you have a uniform herb butter.
  3. Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast and thighs. Rub about half of the herb butter directly onto the meat under the skin. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey skin.
  4. Place the onion quarters and garlic halves inside the main cavity of the turkey.
  5. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  6. Roast the turkey for approximately 13 to 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste the turkey with pan drippings every 45 minutes.
  7. If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
  8. Once the turkey reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest on the counter for at least 30 minutes before carving. This resting period is key for a juicy turkey.

Notes

  • For extra crispy turkey skin, you can place the turkey in the refrigerator uncovered overnight after applying the herb butter.
  • If you prefer a maple butter turkey flavor, substitute 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for 2 tablespoons of the butter in the herb butter mixture.
  • Use the pan drippings to make rich gravy for your family dinner turkey.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/juicy-herb-butter-roast-turkey-recipe/