Description
Succulent Thanksgiving Turkey delivers a mouthwatering centerpiece that brings family traditions to life. Juicy herb-infused meat and crispy golden skin promise a festive feast that will delight guests at your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds / 5.4–6.3 kilograms), thawed
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and sage) for stuffing the cavity
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Warm your culinary workspace by setting the oven temperature to 325F (165C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the holiday centerpiece.
- Extract the turkey from its packaging, delicately eliminating excess moisture with paper towels. Investigate the cavity, extracting the neck and giblets, then liberally season the inner chamber with salt and pepper.
- Populate the turkey’s interior with fragrant ingredients: quartered lemon, roughly chopped onion, aromatic garlic cloves, and an assortment of fresh herbs, infusing the meat with rich, complex flavors.
- Craft a luxurious herb-infused butter mixture by blending softened butter with a harmonious combination of kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, rosemary, and sage until thoroughly incorporated.
- Carefully navigate beneath the turkey’s skin, creating a delicate pocket over the breast meat. Meticulously distribute the herbed butter underneath the skin, ensuring an even coating that promises succulence and depth of flavor.
- Massage the remaining herb butter across the entire turkey exterior, creating a protective and flavorful barrier that will transform during roasting.
- Prepare the turkey for even cooking by gently tucking wing tips underneath the body and securing the legs with kitchen twine, promoting uniform heat distribution.
- Position the turkey on a roasting rack within a spacious pan, surrounding it with low-sodium chicken broth to maintain moisture throughout the cooking process.
- Initiate roasting, allowing approximately 15 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165F (74C) in the thickest thigh section. Monitor the skin’s coloration, draping aluminum foil loosely if browning occurs too rapidly.
- Upon completing the roasting, remove the turkey and allow it to rest, tented with foil, for 20-30 minutes. This critical phase permits juice redistribution, guaranteeing a tender, succulent holiday masterpiece ready for carving and celebration.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier spreading and better absorption into the turkey skin, ensuring maximum flavor infusion.
- Pat the turkey completely dry before seasoning to help create a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall texture.
- Consider brining the turkey overnight in a salt-water solution for extra tenderness and deeper flavor penetration, especially for larger birds or those prone to drying out.
- For gluten-free requirements, verify all seasonings and broth are certified gluten-free, and replace kitchen twine with silicone bands or skip trussing entirely to maintain dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 3.5 hours (for a 12-14 pound turkey)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg