Juicy Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

Juicy, moist, flavorful Roast Turkey with Herb Butter. A delicious oven roast turkey with classic flavors. A must for the Thanksgiving holiday season. I'm sharing the perfect how-to guide and recipe packed with helpful tips to roasting a whole turkey in the oven for a family dinner.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword herb butter rub, Roast Turkey, Thanksgiving Turkey, Turkey Brine Recipe, whole turkey

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Resting Time 20

Total Time 3 40

Servings

Calories 594kcal

Author Jessica (swankyrecipes.com)

Ingredients

turkey brine recipe optional
12 lb whole turkey, fresh or frozen *see notes for larger sizes
1 cup very soft unsalted butter melt for 15-30 seconds if it doesn't spread well on turkey
2 tsp onion powder
2 ½ tsp garlic powder or 4 minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt (1 tsp more if turkey is not brined)
2½-3 tsp Poultry, Italian or Greek seasoning

Turkey Gravy

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Thaw the turkey ahead of time if frozen. Do not cook it frozen. See notes below on thawing techniques and times based on size of turkey.

Prepare Turkey

Allow the thawed turkey to come to room temperature 1 hour before roasting. Meanwhile, prepare turkey and get everything ready below.
Reach into center cavity and neck cavity to remove any plastic bags and the turkey neck with giblets, if not using.
Use a sharp knife to gently tear the skin near the corners, working to gently lift it from the meat to be able to reach in the herb butter.
Pat entire turkey dry with paper towels.
Make the herb butter rub. Use softened butter. TIP: cube butter then place in microwave for 30 seconds or until very mostly soft (not completely melted)
Fold in onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning and mix completely with butter.
Smear 2/3 of herb butter seasoning on the underside of the skin and legs. This will flavor the meat. Rub the remaining 1/3 on the skin.
Tuck the wings of the turkey underneath the turkey.
Prepare a large roasting pan with a rack. See notes for a few quick homemade rack hacks using stuff already in your home.

Roasting Turkey

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Position oven grate to the lowest level.
Set the turkey on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan breast side up. If using a foil pan, place a baking sheet under the pan to easily add or remove roast turkey from oven.
Roast uncovered at 325°F for about 13-15 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature (inserted on middle of thigh and breast) reaches about 165-175°F. Place foil over turkey about 2/3 way into cooking once skin is golden brown.
Remove from oven. Tent with foil and allow to rest; 15-25 minutes.

Notes

TURKEY THAW TIMES

REFRIGERATOR THAW: Allow (4.8 hours) x (per pound). Thaw directions; Place frozen turkey in a garbage bag or container to catch any liquid seepage from the wrapped package.

QUICK COLD WATER THAW: Allow (30 minutes) x (per pound) of turkey. Thaw directions; fill a large pot or clean sink with cold water and replace the water every 30 minutes.

TURKEY BRINE

Head over to this post for details on brining a turkey.

Roasting Rack Hacks

Use this guide to make a homemade roasting rack for the turkey.

Nutrition