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Classic Roast Turkey

A beautifully golden-brown roast turkey, glistening with juices and herbs, ready to serve.
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A straightforward guide to roasting a whole turkey for a juicy, golden-brown centerpiece, perfect for holidays and special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–15 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Remove the turkey from its packaging and remove the giblets from the cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast and spread about half of the herb butter underneath the skin. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey.
  5. Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion, chopped carrots, and celery.
  6. Place the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
  7. Roast the turkey for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound. For a 12-15 pound turkey, this is about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
  8. Baste the turkey with the pan juices every 30-45 minutes.
  9. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
  10. The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching the bone) registers 165°F (74°C).
  11. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add a lemon, cut in half, to the cavity along with the vegetables.
  • Ensure your turkey is fully thawed before roasting.
  • Resting the turkey is crucial for juicy meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/roast-turkey-recipe/