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Oven Roasted Herb Butter Turkey for a Juicy Holiday Centerpiece

Close-up of a beautifully roasted turkey with glossy, golden-brown skin seasoned with herbs.
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Follow this straightforward method to roast a whole turkey using herb butter for incredibly moist meat and crispy skin. This recipe is your secret to a perfect holiday centerpiece.

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 salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup chicken or turkey broth

Instructions

  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging and remove any giblets or neck from the cavities. Pat the entire outside and inside of the turkey completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, 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 quartered onion, carrots, and celery 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 roasting pan. Pour the 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. Do not baste frequently, as this lowers the oven temperature.
  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 for at least 30 minutes before carving. This resting period is crucial for juicy meat.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 15 minutes of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • If you prefer a glaze, apply a maple or cranberry glaze during the last 45 minutes of roasting, allowing the sugars to caramelize.
  • Use the pan drippings to make a simple gravy for serving alongside your perfectly cooked turkey.

Nutrition

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