Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey
This golden, herb-roasted Thanksgiving turkey is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Seasoned with butter, garlic, and fresh herbs, it’s roasted to perfection with crispy skin and a rich, savory aroma that fills your home with holiday warmth. The ultimate showstopper for your Thanksgiving table!
Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey
Cuisine: American10-12
servings30
minutes4
hours420
kcalGolden, juicy, and full of flavor — this Thanksgiving turkey is roasted to perfection with buttery herbs and aromatic spices. Crisp on the outside, tender inside, and bursting with holiday warmth, it’s the centerpiece every table deserves.
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed if frozen
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon sage
1 onion, quartered
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, halved
Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley) for stuffing the cavity
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare the turkey: Remove giblets and pat turkey dry with paper towels.
- Butter and season: In a small bowl, mix butter, olive oil, and seasonings. Gently loosen the turkey skin and rub half the mixture under the skin, and the rest all over the outside.
- Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, garlic, and herbs.
- Roast: Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake:
- Roast for about 13–15 minutes per pound, removing the foil during the last hour to brown the skin.
- Baste occasionally with pan juices or melted butter.
- Check temperature: Turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Let it rest, tented with foil, for 30 minutes before carving.
