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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 15 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 450 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 fresh turkey 12-15 pounds
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large bunch fresh thyme, rosemary and sage (bouquet garni)
  • 1 whole lemon halved
  • 1 yellow onion quartered
  • 1 head garlic halved crosswise
Herb Butter
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh sage finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh Rosemary finely chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. 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.
  3. Generously seasoning the inside of the turkey with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the herb bunch, lemon halves, onion and garlic.
For the herb butter:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter and herbs until well combined.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 (17%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 402IU (8%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 37mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

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.