Herb Roasted Turkey
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
15
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Calories
382 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Herb Roasted Turkey
Description
The Herb Roasted Turkey recipe prepares a 15-pound bird seasoned thoroughly with a blend of softened butter and fresh herbs including sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley, combined with garlic and seasoning. The cavity is stuffed with onion, lemon quarters, and assorted fresh herb sprigs to infuse the bird from the inside during roasting.
Roasting begins at 450°F to start browning, then the temperature is reduced to 350°F for thorough cooking over several hours. Basting every 30 minutes with warm chicken or turkey broth helps keep the bird moist and flavorful. The turkey legs are tied together for even cooking and the wings are tucked under the body. Monitoring doneness by temperature evaluation ensures safe and tender results.
This roasted turkey makes a centerpiece for holidays or large family dinners, pairing well with classic sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Tips for cooking larger birds or alternative supports such as racks or vegetable beds help maintain the bird above pan juices for better roasting. The recipe adapts well for larger turkeys by extending cooking times accordingly.
Ingredients
- 15 lb turkey
- 10 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons sage leaves fresh, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon rosemary finely chopped fresh
- 2 tablespoons thyme leaves fresh, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves fresh, finely chopped
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 onion peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon quartered
- 1 cup assorted herbs whole sprigs to stuff inside the turkey
- 3 cups chicken broth or turkey broth
- assorted herbs optional garnishes, fresh
- cranberries
- seckel pears
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Tuck the turkey wings under the body.
- Place the butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley and salt and pepper to taste in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onion, lemon and assorted herbs. Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine.
- Rub the herb butter all over the outside of the turkey and under the skin of the breast. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken broth in a medium saucepan on the stove and keep warm over low heat.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan and bake for 45 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue roasting, basting the turkey every 30 minutes with the chicken broth, until the turkey is done. This will take approximately 3 hours and you'll know that the turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey thigh registers 165 degrees F.
- If the turkey seems like it's getting overly browned during the cooking process, cover it with foil.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let the turkey rest for 25 minutes. Slice, then serve.
Notes
- You can use turkeys larger than 15 lbs; add 15 minutes more roasting time per additional pound.
- Cooking the turkey on a roasting rack or on vegetables helps keep it from sitting in pan juices for a better crust.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 15Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 382 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 382kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 66g | 132% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 236mg | 79% |
| Sodium | 414mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 733mg | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 390IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 4.1mg | 5% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.7mg | 15% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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