5.0 from 24 votes
Roast Turkey Recipe
Directions for a perfectly roasted and seasoned turkey every time. Herb-glazed roast turkey is a juicy, moist show-stopper.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 221 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 (14-16 pound) turkey, thawed if frozen
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
- 2-3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 5-6 talks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
Glaze
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons dried sage leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set an elevated rack into the bottom of a roasting pan.
- Make the turkey: Brush olive oil all over turkey and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place about two-thirds of the vegetables and apples on the rack in the prepared roasting pan.
- Place turkey on the rack and stuff remaining third of the vegetables and apples inside the turkey. If turkey’s legs are not already tied together, tie them with kitchen twine.
- Roast turkey uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes, then cover loosely with aluminium foil and reduce the heat to 375 degrees F. Roast for another 2-2 ½ hours, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together all glaze ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Brush glaze over turkey and return it to the oven, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven, discard the vegetables, and let turkey rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- What Size Turkey Should I Buy? Take a headcount and plan to serve each person 1–1½ pounds of turkey—so for ten people, you’ll need a 10–15-pound turkey. If you are hosting a large crowd, consider cooking two smaller turkeys to cut down on cooking time.
- Thawing Turkey: How long you’ll need to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator depends on its size. Use the guide below and plan ahead!
- o 4 pounds: 1 day
- o 8 pounds: 2 days
- o 12 pounds: 3 days
- o 16 pounds: 4 days
- o 20 pounds: 5 days
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pound
Calories
221kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
30g
(10%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
20mg
(7%)
Sodium
411mg
(17%)
Potassium
146mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin A
2033IU
(41%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
23mg
(2%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pound | |
| Calories | 221kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 411mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 146mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 2033IU | 41% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.