Description
Festive roast turkey promises a delightful centerpiece for holiday gatherings with rich, aromatic flavors. Carefully seasoned and expertly roasted, this classic dish will delight guests and create memorable moments around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole turkey (14–16 lbs or 6.35–7.26 kg)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup or 226 g), softened
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped finely
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped finely
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 head garlic, broken into cloves and peeled
- Several sprigs fresh sage
- Several sprigs fresh thyme
- Several sprigs fresh rosemary
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Remove turkey from refrigerator and allow to rest at room temperature for one hour on a baking sheet, facilitating even cooking and optimal texture.
- Herb Butter Creation: Combine softened unsalted butter with sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper, mixing into a fragrant, uniform herbal compound.
- Oven Configuration: Position oven rack in lower third and preheat to 450°F (230°C), ensuring precise temperature for initial roasting phase.
- Turkey Preparation: Remove giblets and neck, thoroughly pat turkey dry with paper towels, then generously season entire surface with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Flavor Infusion: Stuff turkey’s cavity with quartered lemon, herb sprigs, and crushed garlic cloves, then meticulously massage herbal butter across entire turkey surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roasting Technique: Tuck wing tips underneath, secure leg joints with culinary twine, and position turkey breast-side up on roasting pan rack.
- Cooking Process: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and roast approximately 3 hours, monitoring internal thigh temperature until reaching 165°F (74°C), tenting with aluminum foil if skin bronzes too quickly.
- Resting Period: Remove from oven and let turkey rest undisturbed for 20 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute before carving and serving.
Notes
- Temper Smartly: Bring turkey to room temperature for even cooking and juicier meat results.
- Butter Boost: Create a flavor-packed herbal butter that penetrates deep into turkey skin for maximum taste enhancement.
- Moisture Magic: Pat turkey completely dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Rest and Relax: Let turkey rest after cooking to allow internal juices to redistribute, guaranteeing tender, succulent meat slices.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg