The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and of course, delicious food. When it comes to creating the perfect holiday meal, nothing beats a beautifully roasted turkey.
In this recipe, we’ll guide you through the steps to create a mouthwatering, juicy, and flavorful roast turkey that will make your holiday gathering truly unforgettable.
| Name: | Best Holiday Ever Roast Turkey |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 3.5 – 4 hours |
| Total Time | 4.5 hours |
| Servings | 12-15 people |
| Yield | 1 whole turkey |
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (approximately 12-15 pounds)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4-5 sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
Instructions
- Preparation
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Remove the turkey from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried sage, salt, and pepper. This will be your flavorful herb butter.
- Season the Turkey
Gently lift the skin of the turkey and rub the herb butter mixture underneath the skin, covering as much of the meat as possible. This will help keep the turkey moist and infuse it with flavor.
- Stuff the Turkey
Stuff the cavity of the turkey with lemon halves, onion quarters, and fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs. This aromatic stuffing will add a delightful fragrance to your roast.
- Truss the Turkey
Truss the turkey by tying its legs together with kitchen twine. This helps the turkey cook evenly and maintain its shape.
- Roasting
Place the turkey on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan.
Pour the chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of the pan. This will keep the turkey moist and create a flavorful base for gravy.
Cover the turkey with aluminum foil, leaving a little space at the top to allow steam to escape.
- Roast
Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for about 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Basting
Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices. This adds more flavor and helps the skin become beautifully golden and crisp.
- Resting
Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist and tender turkey.
- Carving
Carve your turkey and serve it with your favorite holiday sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy made from the pan drippings.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving (1/12 of the turkey):
- Calories: 500
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 2g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 70g
