Perfect Roast Turkey With Garlic Herb Butter

There’s something deeply comforting about gathering around a table filled with the savory aroma of a perfectly roasted turkey. For many, this isn’t just a meal but a celebration of tradition, family, and gratitude. When you prepare a classic roast turkey with herb butter, you’re creating more than food you’re crafting a centerpiece that brings everyone closer, evoking warm memories and new moments to cherish.

Why Choose This Classic Roast Turkey Recipe?

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the brilliance of herb butter infused with rosemary, sage, and thyme. These fresh herbs blend with rich butter, imparting succulent flavor and keeping the turkey moist throughout roasting. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a special occasion, mastering this method ensures your turkey is the star of the meal.

Perfect Roast Turkey With Garlic Herb Butter

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A classic roast turkey recipe featuring fresh herb butter for a moist, flavorful turkey perfect for holidays and special occasions.

• Author: Marie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Main course
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon each chopped fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 whole turkey (about 12 pounds), thawed if frozen, rinsed and patted dry
• 4 to 6 large carrots, halved crosswise
• 2 large onions, cut into 8 wedges
• 2 stalks celery, halved crosswise

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare herb butter with chopped herbs and butter.

2. Loosen turkey skin and rub herb butter under the skin evenly.

3. Fill neck cavity with stuffing, fold skin over and secure.

4. Tuck wings under the bird; loosely fill body cavity with stuffing.

5. Tie legs securely with kitchen twine.

6. Set a roasting rack over vegetables and water in the pan; place turkey on rack.

7. Rub turkey with remaining butter and season with salt and pepper.

8. Roast at 350°F for 1 hour, baste every 30 minutes.

9. Continue roasting until thigh reaches 125°F.

10. Remove foil, raise oven to 400°F, roast until thigh reaches 180°F.

11. Rest turkey covered loosely for 30 minutes before carving.

Notes

Make herb butter a day ahead and refrigerate.

Use instant-read thermometer for best results.

Baste the turkey frequently for moist skin.

Ingredients for Classic Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

Using high-quality, fresh ingredients is key to making your roast turkey unforgettable. Below is a neatly organized table of all ingredients to prepare this delicious recipe.

Optional: Cornbread and sausage stuffing for filling the turkey cavity [recipe link] (if desired)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Perfect Roast Turkey

Preheat Oven and Prepare Herb Butter

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Position the oven rack in the lowest slot.
2. In a small bowl, blend 4 tablespoons of the softened butter with the chopped rosemary, sage, and thyme.
3. Season the herb butter generously with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

Prepare the Turkey

4. Gently loosen the turkey’s skin starting from the neck end, sliding your fingers underneath carefully without tearing.
5. Rub the herb butter underneath the skin, spreading evenly over the breast meat.
6. Place the turkey breast side down, and fill the neck cavity with your prepared stuffing (if using), being careful not to pack it tightly.
7. Fold the skin over tightly; secure with skewers or trussing needles.

Tuck the Wings and Stuff the Body Cavity

8. Turn the turkey breast side up; bend the wing tips underneath the bird and tuck them in place. (Breaking the wing bones slightly helps keep them down.)
9. Loosely fill the main cavity of the turkey with stuffing.

Truss the Turkey Legs

10. Tie the legs together firmly using kitchen twine to help the turkey retain its shape and retain moisture during roasting.

Prepare Roasting Pan and Rack

11. Cut the turkey neck into pieces.
12. Combine the neck pieces, carrots, onions, celery, and 2 cups of water in the roasting pan.
13. Place a roasting rack over the vegetables and position your turkey on the rack.
14. Rub the turkey skin with the remaining tablespoon of butter.
15. Season generously with salt and pepper.
16. Loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil.

Roast the Turkey

17. Roast the turkey for 1 hour at 350°F.
18. Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices.
19. Continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) reads 125°F (about 3 hours).
20. Remove the foil; increase oven temperature to 400°F.
21. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until the thigh reaches 180°F, about 45 to 60 minutes more.
22. Tent with foil if the turkey browns too quickly; add water if the pan dries out.

Rest Before Carving

23. Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and cover loosely with foil.
24. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for moist, tender slices.

Helpful Tips for Making Your Roast Turkey Moist and Flavorful

• Make Herb Butter Ahead: Prepare the herb butter a day in advance and refrigerate. Bring it to room temperature before using for the best flavor infusion.
• Loosen the Skin Gently: Avoid tearing to keep the coating intact, ensuring juicy meat beneath.
• Use a Roasting Rack: Elevating the turkey helps air circulate and cooks it evenly while allowing aromatic veggies and neck pieces to flavor the drippings.
• Basting Matters: Frequent basting keeps the skin from drying out and builds flavor.
• Resting is Essential: Don’t skip resting the bird; carving while hot squeezes out juices, resulting in dry meat.
• Thermometer Use: A meat thermometer prevents guesswork you’ll know your turkey is safe and perfectly cooked.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving)

Frequently Asked Questions About Classic Roast Turkey

What size turkey should I buy per person?

Plan on about 1 to 1.5 pounds per person if including leftovers.

Can I stuff the turkey ahead of time?

It’s safer to cook stuffing separately or stuff just before roasting to avoid food safety issues.

How do I know when the turkey is done?

Use an instant-read thermometer the thigh should reach a safe internal temperature of 180°F.

Can I use frozen turkey for this recipe?

Yes, but ensure it’s completely thawed before roasting for even cooking.

Conclusion: Your Classic Roast Turkey with Herb Butter Awaits

By mastering this classic roast turkey recipe with herb butter, you’re not just preparing a meal you’re creating an experience filled with rich aromas, tender juiciness, and heartwarming tradition. This recipe’s simplicity combined with fresh herbs makes it the perfect dish to impress your guests or elevate any family gathering. With these clear instructions and tips, your best roast turkey is within reach. Prepare, savor, and share this timeless feast with your loved ones it’s worth every moment.