Description
This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe is the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe for juicy, golden, foolproof results—no brining or basting required. Simple steps, big flavor, and a tender, perfectly roasted centerpiece for your holiday table.
Ingredients
Roast Turkey
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12 to 18 pound turkey, fully thawed
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1 onion, peeled and quartered
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1 lemon, quartered
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1–2 sprigs fresh rosemary
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1–2 sprigs fresh thyme
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1–2 sprigs fresh sage
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Kosher salt and black pepper
Herb Butter
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¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
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6 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp kosher salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
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1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
Vegetables Under Turkey (Optional)
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1 onion, peeled and quartered
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3 celery ribs, roughly chopped
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2 carrots, roughly chopped
Instructions
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Remove the turkey from the fridge 1 hour before roasting to come to room temperature. Remove giblets.
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Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
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Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Fill with onion, lemon, and fresh herbs (avoid overstuffing).
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In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
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Loosen turkey skin gently with your fingers. Spread ⅓ of the herb butter under the skin over the breasts. Rub the remaining butter all over the turkey.
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Place turkey on a roasting rack or over chopped vegetables. Tuck wing tips underneath.
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Roast for about 15 minutes per pound, until internal temperature reads 158–160°F in the thigh or breast. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
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Remove from oven and let rest 30 minutes, allowing temperature to rise to 165°F.
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Carve and serve. Save pan drippings for gravy if desired.
Notes
Larger than 18 lb turkeys may require extra herb butter and more cook time.
If your turkey is under 12 lb, scale down butter mixture.
Oven temperatures can vary by up to 25 degrees—use a thermometer for accuracy.
Resting is essential for juicy turkey!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 515
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 528mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g (poly 5g + mono 8g)
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 70g
- Cholesterol: 249mg