Simple Roast Turkey Recipe (The Best)

User Reviews

4.9

309 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    25 mins

  • Cook Time

    3 hrs 25 mins

  • Total Time

    3 hrs 45 mins

  • Servings

    12 Servings

  • Calories

    517 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Simple Roast Turkey Recipe (The Best)

This simple recipe for roast turkey is tender, juicy, and packed with savory herb butter. Perfect for Thanksgiving or as the centerpiece of a home cooked meal!

I Made This!

231 people made this

Save this

185 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 turkey about 12-14lb
  • 1/2 bunch herbs dill, parsley, cilantro
  • 1/2 head of garlic
  • 3 sticks of unsalted butter
  • 5 medium carrots
  • 1 bunch celery
  • 1 qt broth beef, turkey or chicken
  • 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. Chop the herbs and add them to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Press the garlic cloves into the bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Add the softened butter into the herb mixture.
  3. Place about 70% of the herb butter into a plastic storage bag. Press it towards the bottom of the bag, forming a log shape. Place the bag in the refrigerator to harden.
  4. Dice the carrots and celery into large chunks. Place the veggies into the bottom of a large roasting dish with a detachable roasting rack. Pour the broth directly over the veggies. Place the wire roasting rack inside the dish.
  5. Rinse the turkey in the sink, remove the giblets, and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the turkey inside the roasting dish on top of the wire roasting rack. Carefully, use your fingers to loosen the skin away from the flesh, being extra careful not to rip it.
  6. Slice the herb butter into 1/4-inch thick coins. Lift the skin and evenly distribute the butter coins underneath it. Season the outer turkey skin very generously with salt and pepper. Tie the turkey legs together with twine.
  7. Remove the skin from the two onions and cut them in half. Stuff the onion pieces inside the cavity of the turkey. Spread the leftover butter on top of the turkey. Bake the turkey uncovered at 350°F for 3-5 hours depending on the weight. Note: A 12-14 pound turkey will take about 3-3.5 hours to bake. Tack on an extra 13 minutes per pound if your turkey is heavier.
  8. Allow the turkey to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before carving it. Save all the drippings and broth at the bottom of the roasting pan for gravy. Slice and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 517kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 47g (94%) Fat 35g (54%) Saturated Fat 18g (90%) Cholesterol 216mg (72%) Sodium 461mg (19%) Potassium 569mg (16%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 5075IU (102%) Vitamin C 1.5mg (2%) Calcium 39mg (4%) Iron 1.9mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 517 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 517kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 47g 94%
Fat 35g 54%
Saturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 216mg 72%
Sodium 461mg 19%
Potassium 569mg 12%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 5075IU 102%
Vitamin C 1.5mg 2%
Calcium 39mg 4%
Iron 1.9mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9

309 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

The Best Pork Roast Recipe

American
4.4 (60 reviews)

The Best Slow Cooker Beef Roast

American
4.7 (828 reviews)

Roast Beef Tenderloin Recipe (Crazy Easy)

American
4.9 (228 reviews)

Rib Roast Recipe (with Horseradish Sauce)

American
4.8 (702 reviews)

Sirloin Tip Roast (Easy & Juicy)

American
5.0 (6 reviews)

Pressure Cooker Chuck Roast

American
4.8 (531 reviews)

Dutch Oven Pot Roast (So Easy)

American
5.0 (30 reviews)

Turkey Necks Recipe (The Classic Way)

American, Russian
4.8 (14,760 reviews)

Crazy Good Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

American
4.7 (423 reviews)

Easiest Spatchcock Turkey Recipe Ever

American
4.8 (429 reviews)

Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers

Italian, American
4.8 (8,622 reviews)

Smoked Turkey

American
4.7 (651 reviews)

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

American
4.8 (36 reviews)

The Best Grilled Lamb Kabobs

American, Russian, Ukrainian
4.8 (2,187 reviews)

Steak Sandwich Recipe

American
4.8 (34,197 reviews)