Herb-Roasted Turkey with Garlic Butter: A Classic Thanksgiving Recipe
Thanksgiving is the time of year when families gather around the table to enjoy comforting and flavorful meals. The star of the show is often the turkey, and one of the best ways to elevate this holiday staple is with a herb-roasted turkey slathered in garlic butter. This recipe adds depth and richness to the turkey, creating a crispy golden skin while keeping the meat moist and tender.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect herb-roasted turkey with garlic butter for your next Thanksgiving feast.
Ingredients:
1 whole turkey (12-14 lbs), thawed
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 onion, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved horizontally
2 cups chicken broth
Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage sprigs (for stuffing the cavity)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Garlic Butter:
The key to a perfectly juicy turkey lies in the flavorful garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, and lemon zest. Season generously with salt and pepper. The herbs and lemon zest will infuse the butter with a fresh, aromatic flavor, while the garlic adds a rich, savory element that complements the turkey perfectly.
2. Prepare the Turkey:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Before seasoning the turkey, make sure it’s completely thawed and pat it dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely during roasting.
Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast by sliding your fingers between the skin and meat, being careful not to tear the skin. Take half of the garlic butter mixture and spread it directly under the skin, ensuring the butter reaches the breast and thigh areas for maximum flavor. Rub the remaining garlic butter all over the outside of the turkey.
3. Stuff the Cavity:
To enhance the flavor of the turkey from the inside, stuff the cavity with the lemon halves, onion quarters, and halved garlic. Add sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage to the cavity as well. These aromatic ingredients will release their flavors during roasting, infusing the meat with a subtle herbaceous aroma.
4. Roast the Turkey:
Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack inside a large roasting pan. Pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to help keep the turkey moist during cooking. Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the skin from browning too quickly.
Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. About 45 minutes before the turkey is finished, remove the foil to allow the skin to become golden and crispy.
5. Rest and Serve:
Once fully cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender turkey. Serve alongside your favorite Thanksgiving sides and enjoy!
Final Tips:
Basting the turkey every hour with the pan drippings will help keep it moist and enhance the flavor.
Save the pan drippings to make a rich gravy.
This herb-roasted turkey with garlic butter is sure to become a favorite at your Thanksgiving table, bringing a delicious combination of crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.
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