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Easy Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey: Best Holiday Recipe

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This Easy Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey is the result of about four Thanksgivings worth of trial and error. It’s forgiving enough for a beginner and impressive enough for a holiday table, with incredibly juicy meat and a foolproof technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Move the rack to the lowest position. Take the turkey out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. Make the herb butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed.
  3. Prepare the turkey: Remove the turkey from packaging and take out the neck and giblets. Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels.
  4. Apply the herb butter under the skin: Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs. Spread about two-thirds of the herb butter directly onto the meat under the skin.
  5. Rub the outside: Take the remaining butter and rub it all over the outside of the turkey, including wings and legs.
  6. Stuff the cavity: Place the halved lemon and quartered onion inside the cavity.
  7. Truss the turkey (optional): Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips under the body.
  8. Place in the roasting pan: Set the turkey breast-side up on the rack in your roasting pan. Pour the 4 cups of broth into the bottom of the pan.
  9. Roast the turkey: Roast for about 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste every 45 minutes. Tent with foil if skin browns too quickly.
  10. Let it rest: Remove from oven and let rest on a cutting board for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Pat the turkey dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Baste efficiently to avoid heat loss. Save pan drippings for gravy.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted turkey, garlic herb butter turkey, holiday turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, easy turkey recipe

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/easy-garlic-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-best-holiday-recipe/