5 from 6 votes
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Learn how to cook a turkey with this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe! It's the best roast turkey recipe with herb butter, plus tips for baking a turkey.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
12
servings
Calories:
450 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 turkey 12-15 pounds, fresh
- kosher salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 large bunch thyme bouquet garni, fresh
- 1 large bunch rosemary
- 1 large bunch sage
- 1 whole lemon halved
- 1 yellow onion quartered
- 1 head garlic halved crosswise
Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup butter softened, unsalted
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme fresh leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley finely chopped, fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon sage finely chopped, fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary finely chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey from its packaging and place it on a large roasting pan. Clean the inside of the turkey, remove the giblets and then pay the bird dry with paper towels.
- Generously seasoning the inside of the turkey with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the herb bunch, lemon halves, onion and garlic.
Cup of Yum
For the herb butter:
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter and herbs until well combined.
- Rub the outside of the turkey all over with the herb butter, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Truss the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey.
- Roast the turkey at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and continue cooking for 2 to 2 1/2 hours (depending on the size), or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Slice turkey and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute all of the fresh herbs for 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning.
Nutrition Information
Calories
450kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
58g
(116%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
214mg
(71%)
Sodium
302mg
(13%)
Potassium
611mg
(13%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
402IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
37mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 450
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 450kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 58g | 116% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 214mg | 71% |
| Sodium | 302mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 611mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 402IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.