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Herb-Roasted Turkey Feast


  • Author: Alessia

Ingredients

Scale

Before you start, gather the following ingredients to ensure a seamless cooking experience:

For the Turkey

  • 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Herb Butter

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced

For the Stuffing

  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 apple, quartered
  • 4 sprigs rosemary
  • 4 sprigs thyme

Additional

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Kitchen twine

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare your herb-roasted turkey:

Preparation

  1. Thaw the Turkey: If using a frozen turkey, ensure it’s fully thawed. This can take several days in the refrigerator.
  2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  3. Prepare the Herb Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped herbs, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.

Prepping the Turkey

  1. Clean the Turkey: Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Season the Turkey: Generously season the turkey cavity with salt and pepper. Rub the outside with salt and pepper as well.
  3. Stuff the Turkey: Fill the cavity with the quartered onion, lemon, apple, and herb sprigs.
  4. Apply Herb Butter: Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breasts and thighs. Spread the herb butter under the skin, ensuring even coverage.
  5. Truss the Turkey: Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together and tuck the wing tips under the body to ensure even cooking.

Roasting

  1. Place in Roasting Pan: Position the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
  2. Roast the Turkey: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Roast the turkey, basting occasionally with pan juices.
  3. Cook Until Done: The turkey is ready when the thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). This typically takes about 3 to 4 hours, but times may vary.

Resting and Carving

  1. Rest the Turkey: Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist turkey.
  2. Carve and Serve: Carve the turkey using a sharp knife, serving immediately with your choice of sides.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 330
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Protein: 45g
  • Cholesterol: 135mg