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Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

A classic holiday dish featuring a turkey seasoned with herb-infused butter for a juicy, flavorful feast.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12-20 pound turkey Size of turkey can vary based on your needs.
  • 1 whole onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 whole lemon, quartered
  • 1 whole apple, quartered
  • 0.75 ounce container of fresh rosemary
  • 0.75 ounce container of fresh thyme
  • 0.75 ounce container of fresh sage
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use high-quality butter for best flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
  • to taste Fresh chopped herbs Use your favorite fresh herbs.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Thaw the turkey if frozen, allowing 24 hours for every 5 pounds.
  2. Remove the turkey from the fridge 1 hour before roasting to bring it to room temperature.
  3. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  4. In a bowl, mix the softened butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh chopped herbs until well combined.
  5. Carefully remove the turkey from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
  6. Season the inside cavity generously with salt and pepper, then stuff it with onion, lemon, apple, and leftover herbs.
Roasting
  1. Loosen the skin over the turkey's breast and spread half of the herb butter under the skin.
  2. Tuck the wings underneath the turkey and place it in a roasting pan.
  3. Brush the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey.
  4. Roast the turkey for about 13-15 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Cover with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
Resting
  1. Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
  2. Reserve the drippings for gravy.

Notes

Serve with classic sides like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.