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Classic Roast Turkey Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 52 reviews

This Classic Roast Turkey recipe delivers a perfectly juicy and flavorful bird, ideal for holiday celebrations and family gatherings. With a simple herb butter rub and aromatic lemon and onion stuffing, it brings traditional flavors to the table in an easy and foolproof roasting method.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey

  • 12–14 pound whole turkey

Herb Butter Rub

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Stuffing and Roasting Liquid

  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to ensure the turkey cooks evenly at a moderate temperature.
  2. Prepare the Turkey: Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels, which helps the skin crisp during roasting. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan to allow air circulation and even cooking.
  3. Make Herb Butter Rub: In a bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Mix until thoroughly blended.
  4. Apply Herb Butter: Rub the herb butter mixture all over the turkey’s exterior and carefully loosen the skin to spread some butter underneath for maximum flavor and moisture.
  5. Stuff the Turkey Cavity: Insert the lemon halves and onion quarters inside the turkey cavity. These aromatics infuse the meat with subtle citrus and savory flavor as it roasts.
  6. Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the weight, basting it with chicken broth every 45 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
  7. Rest Before Carving: Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy slices.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness, avoiding overcooking.
  • Resting the turkey is crucial to keep it juicy when carved.
  • Basting with chicken broth adds moisture and enhances flavor.
  • For extra crisp skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) for the last 20 minutes of roasting.
  • Save pan drippings to make delicious gravy.

Keywords: classic roast turkey, holiday turkey, roast turkey recipe, herb butter turkey, Thanksgiving turkey

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/classic-roast-turkey-recipe/