Alternative Herb Roast Turkey (Printable)
Juicy herb-roasted turkey, enriched with garlic and fresh herbs, served with a flavorful gravy and optional aromatic stuffing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Turkey
01 - 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs), thawed if frozen
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Herb Butter
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Aromatic Stuffing
10 - 1 lemon, quartered
11 - 1 onion, quartered
12 - 2 celery stalks, cut into chunks
13 - 1 carrot, cut into chunks
→ Gravy
14 - Turkey drippings from roasting pan
15 - 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
16 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Remove giblets from turkey cavity and pat turkey completely dry with paper towels.
03 - In a bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and lemon zest until combined.
04 - Gently loosen skin over turkey breast and legs. Rub half the herb butter under the skin, and spread remaining butter all over the exterior.
05 - Season turkey generously inside and out with salt and black pepper.
06 - Fill cavity with quartered lemon, onion, celery chunks, and carrot pieces for added aroma and moisture.
07 - Tie legs together with kitchen twine and tuck wings underneath the body.
08 - Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in a large roasting pan. Brush exterior with olive oil.
09 - Roast for 2 to 2½ hours (approximately 13–15 minutes per pound), basting with pan juices every 45 minutes. Tent loosely with foil if breast browns too quickly.
10 - Turkey is fully cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C).
11 - Transfer turkey to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 20–30 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
12 - Skim excess fat from pan drippings. Place roasting pan over medium heat, add flour, and cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in broth and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The herb butter creates an incredibly moist bird with crispy golden skin
- Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine for hours
02 -
- A thermometer is absolutely essential for perfectly cooked meat
- Tenting with foil prevents over browning while the meat finishes cooking
03 -
- Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting
- Save the pan juices even if you are not making gravy right away