This Herb Butter Roasted Turkey is juicy and bursting with flavor! The mix of herbs and butter gives it a mouthwatering taste that makes every bite special.
Honestly, who can resist a golden turkey with crispy skin? It’s like the star of the show at any gathering, and your friends will be asking for seconds (or thirds)! 😄
I love preparing this turkey because it’s pretty simple! Just rub it with herby butter, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen. It’s sure to impress everyone at your table!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Whole Turkey: A 12-14 pound turkey is ideal, ensuring it’s thawed properly. If you’re short on time or have a smaller gathering, consider using turkey breasts or thighs for quicker cooking.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is essential for that rich flavor. You can substitute with olive oil for a lighter option, but it won’t have the same creamy richness.
Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, sage, and thyme give the turkey its herby taste. Don’t stress if you can’t find fresh ones; dried herbs work too! Just use about a third of the amount since dried herbs are more potent.
Garlic: Fresh garlic enhances the flavor beautifully. If you’re in a pinch, garlic powder can be used instead, but fresh is always better for depth of flavor.
Lemon: Fresh lemon brightens up the dish. If you don’t have a lemon, try using lime or even a splash of vinegar for acidity.
How Do I Get the Skin Crispy and Golden?
Getting a crispy skin on your turkey is key! Here are some tips for success:
- Dry the Skin: Make sure to pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Moisture creates steam, which prevents crisping.
- Loosen the Skin: Gently slide your fingers between the skin and meat. This allows the herb butter to penetrate better, not just sitting on top.
- Use Olive Oil: Rubbing a bit of olive oil on the skin can help it crisp and brown nicely while cooking.
- Roasting Time: Remove the foil during the last hour of roasting to allow the skin to brown evenly.
- Baste Regularly: Basting with pan juices helps keep the meat moist and allows the skin to crisp up better.
- Resting Time: Let the turkey rest after roasting; this allows juices to redistribute, giving you tender meat and maintaining texture.
These steps will help you achieve that beautifully crispy turkey skin! Happy roasting! 🍗
Herb Butter Roasted Turkey
Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds), thawed if frozen
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
- Fresh herb sprigs (rosemary, sage, thyme) for cavity and garnish
- Olive oil (optional, for rubbing skin)
- Cooking twine
Time Estimate:
This Herb Butter Roasted Turkey will take approximately 3 to 4 hours in total, including:
- Preparation: 30 minutes
- Cooking: 2 to 2.5 hours (around 13-15 minutes per pound)
- Resting: 20-30 minutes before carving
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). Position a rack in a large roasting pan so your turkey fits nicely.
2. Prepare the Herb Butter:
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well blended and creamy.
3. Prepare the Turkey:
Take out the turkey’s neck and giblets from the cavity (you can save these for stock or throw them away). Next, pat the turkey dry with paper towels to ensure it cooks evenly.
4. Loosen the Skin:
Carefully slide your hands between the turkey’s skin and the breast meat to loosen the skin without tearing it. This is where all that delicious herb butter will go!
5. Apply the Herb Butter:
Take about half of your herb butter and spread it generously under the loosened skin directly onto the breast meat. Then, spread the rest of the herb butter all over the outside of the turkey to give it that amazing flavor and crispiness.
6. Stuff the Cavity:
Fill the turkey’s cavity with the quartered onion, lemon, halved garlic head, and a few sprigs of fresh herbs. This adds even more flavor while it roasts!
7. Tie the Legs:
Using the cooking twine, tie the turkey legs together. Also, tuck the wing tips under the body for even cooking and to prevent them from burning.
8. Optional Oil Rub:
If you want extra crispy skin, you can rub the turkey’s skin lightly with olive oil.
9. Place in Oven:
Put the turkey breast side up on the roasting rack in the pan and tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
10. Roast the Turkey:
Roast your turkey in the oven. The cooking time will be about 13-15 minutes per pound. Remove the foil during the last hour so the skin can brown nicely.
11. Baste the Turkey:
Occasionally basting with the pan juices helps keep the turkey moist. If the skin gets too brown too quickly, simply re-cover the turkey loosely with the foil.
12. Check for Doneness:
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure it doesn’t touch bone. It should read 165°F (74°C) when the turkey is fully cooked.
13. Rest the Turkey:
Once the turkey is cooked, take it out of the oven and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This step is important for juicy meat!
14. Carve and Serve:
Finally, carve the turkey and serve it garnished with fresh herb sprigs. You can serve it with the pan juices or your favorite gravy.
Enjoy your juicy, flavorful Herb Butter Roasted Turkey with crispy golden skin! It’s perfect for any celebration! 🍗
Can I Use a Frozen Turkey for This Recipe?
Yes, you can, but make sure to fully thaw it before cooking! The best method is to leave it in the fridge for several days or use the cold water method, where you submerge it in a leak-proof bag and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Once your turkey is carved, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, slice it and warm it gently in the oven or microwave, adding a bit of broth to keep it moist.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Herbs?
If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs are a great substitute! Use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Adjust to taste as needed!
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
While the turkey itself should be cooked the day of serving, you can prepare the herb butter in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just let it soften before you spread it under the skin.
