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Golden brown herb-roasted turkey on a roasting rack, seasoned with fresh herbs.

Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipe

Bree Hester
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Wait Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 522 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey a fresh, organic turkey if possible

For The Herb Butter:

  • 1 stick butter room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs such as sage, rosemary, and thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Zest of one lemon

To Stuff:

  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Oranges and lemons
  • Fresh herbs
  • Kitchen twine

Instructions
 

  • Wash your turkey really well. I rub mine with salt and rinse it really, really well. The water needs to run clear. Dry your bird well.
    Salting a raw whole turkey for herb-roasted turkey.
  • Make sure you check the turkey's neck and behind and make sure that you leave nothing left inside. This is what you are looking for. Some people save these “treats” to make gravy. I do not, so I toss them. I know that some grandmothers just died inside by me typing that. I know that mine would.
    Removing turkey giblets and neck from the Herb-Roasted Turkey, with kitchen shears.
  • Mix together the butter, herbs, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to make the herb butter.
    Mixing butter and fresh herbs for the Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipe.
  • Quarter a few lemons, oranges and onions. The amount that you will need depends on how large your bird is. This is a pretty small turkey. I am using a ridiculously large roasting pan with a rack. I love this pan and the rack really makes this job a whole lot easier.
    Preparing a raw whole Herb-Roasted Turkey with herb butter and quartered oranges and onions.
  • Fill the inside of the turkey with the citrus and onions. You want to pack it full, but not so full that air cannot circulate around the inside. I put some herbs in there because it looks pretty.
    Succulent raw turkey stuffed with lemon and onion for roasting, ready for holiday dinner preparation.
  • Criss-cross the turkey's legs and tie them with some cooking twine.
    Raw whole Herb-Roasted Turkey, stuffed with citrus and tied with twine, on a roasting rack.
  • See this little wing sticking out? We need to tuck that underneath. Just stick it underneath the bum and cover the loose skin around the neck.
    Raw whole turkey prepared for roasting in a baking pan.
  • Slather the bird with butter. Season with salt and pepper.
    Juicy seasoned whole raw turkey on roasting pan ready for baking.
  • Cook the turkey in a preheated 325°F oven. When the turkey is about 2/3 of the way done, cover it in tin foil. This will help keep your turkey from getting too brown. The turkey is done when a thermometer inserted into the thigh (not touching the bone) reaches 180°F. The juices will run clear.
    Golden brown herb-roasted turkey on a roasting rack, seasoned with fresh herbs.
  • Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before you carve.
    Herb-Roasted Turkey resting on a rack, ready to carve.

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 78gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 786mgFiber: 2g
Keyword easy turkey recipe,, herb butter turkey, herb roasted turkey, holiday turkey, roasted turkey recipe,, thanksgiving turkey
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