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Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 3 to 4 hours (including resting time)
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x

Description

Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey is a classic holiday centerpiece featuring a whole turkey infused with a rich garlic and fresh herb butter. Roasted to perfection, this recipe ensures juicy, tender meat with a crispy golden skin that’s bursting with flavor. Ideal for festive occasions or any special meal, this turkey recipe combines simple preparation with impressive presentation, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to delight family and guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey and Butter Mixture

  • 1 whole turkey (12–15 pounds)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Fresh herbs (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting.
  2. Prepare Turkey: Remove the turkey from packaging, discard giblets, and pat the bird dry thoroughly with paper towels to help the skin crisp.
  3. Make Garlic Herb Butter: In a large bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
  4. Apply Herb Butter: Gently separate the turkey skin from the breast meat by hand. Spread half of the garlic herb butter mixture underneath the skin, massaging the rest evenly over the outside of the turkey.
  5. Season the Cavity: Sprinkle additional salt and pepper inside the turkey cavity for added flavor.
  6. Truss the Turkey: Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck wing tips underneath for even cooking and a neat presentation.
  7. Place in Roasting Pan: Position the turkey breast-side up on a rack inside a roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to keep the environment moist during cooking.
  8. Roast the Turkey: Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 13 minutes per pound. Continue roasting until the thickest parts of the breast and thigh reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  9. Baste Periodically: Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.
  10. Final Crisping: During the last hour, if the skin is browning unevenly or too quickly, loosely cover the breasts with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
  11. Rest the Turkey: Remove the turkey from the oven and tent it with foil. Let it rest for 30 minutes so the juices redistribute for moist, tender meat.
  12. Carve and Serve: After resting, carve the turkey and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh, high-quality herbs and unsalted butter for the best flavor.
  • Do not rush the resting time; it’s essential to keep the meat juicy.
  • Feel free to experiment with additional herbs like parsley or oregano to customize the flavor.
  • A meat thermometer ensures the turkey is cooked safely and perfectly.
  • Cover turkey breasts with foil if they brown too quickly to avoid burning.
  • Leftover turkey stores well for 3-4 days refrigerated or up to 4 months frozen.
  • Reheat leftovers gently with broth in the oven to maintain moisture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey, roast turkey, garlic herb butter, holiday recipe, Thanksgiving, Christmas, roasted turkey, festive dinner

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Find it online: https://naomifletcher.com/garlic-herb-butter-roast-turkey-recipe/