Name: Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter (Real butter, softened but not melted.); 4 to 6 cloves 4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced (Fresh minced garlic is best.); 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary; 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped thyme; 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons chopped parsley; 1 unit Zest of 1 lemon (Add zest to butter for flavor.); 1 to 1.5 teaspoons 1 to 1.5 teaspoons salt (Use less if your turkey is pre-brined.); 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 unit 1 whole turkey (10-18 lb) (Choose based on servings and leftovers.); 1-2 cups 1 to 2 cups broth (To prevent burning drippings.); 1 unit 1 lemon, cut into wedges (For stuffing the cavity.); 1 head 1 halved garlic head (For stuffing the cavity.); a few sprigs a few herb sprigs (rosemary, thyme) (Optional, for additional flavor.)

Description

A simple and flavorful roast turkey recipe using garlic herb butter for juicy meat and crispy skin, perfect for holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Garlic Herb Butter

1 cup 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter (Real butter, softened but not melted.)
4 to 6 cloves 4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced (Fresh minced garlic is best.)
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 unit Zest of 1 lemon (Add zest to butter for flavor.)
1 to 1.5 teaspoons 1 to 1.5 teaspoons salt (Use less if your turkey is pre-brined.)
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon black pepper

Turkey and Aromatics

1 unit 1 whole turkey (10-18 lb) (Choose based on servings and leftovers.)
1-2 cups 1 to 2 cups broth (To prevent burning drippings.)
1 unit 1 lemon, cut into wedges (For stuffing the cavity.)
1 head 1 halved garlic head (For stuffing the cavity.)
a few sprigs a few herb sprigs (rosemary, thyme) (Optional, for additional flavor.)

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Instructions

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pat turkey dry with paper towels, including inside the cavity.
Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before roasting.
Rub salt into the cavity and add aromatics (lemon, garlic, herbs).

Making Garlic Herb Butter

In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Roasting Turkey

Loosen the skin over the breast gently and rub about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter under the breast skin.
Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey, including legs and thighs.
Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 to 2 cups of broth to the bottom of the pan.
Roast until done, tenting with foil if the skin browns too quickly.

Notes

Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving for juicier slices. Use a thermometer to check doneness: Breast at 160°F and thigh at 170°F to 175°F.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Dinner, Holiday, Main Course
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American, Holiday

Nutrition

Calories: 350
Sodium: 500
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 17
Protein: 24