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Ultimate Herb Butter Roast Turkey for a Juicy Bird and Crispy Skin

A perfectly roasted turkey with a slice cut out showing moist white meat and crispy skin.
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Follow this step-by-step guide to cook the best roast turkey. This recipe uses herb butter to guarantee moist meat and perfectly browned, crispy skin for your holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients

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  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavities. Pat the entire turkey surface dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix until you have a uniform herb butter.
  3. Gently separate the skin from the breast meat using your fingers, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub two-thirds of the herb butter mixture directly onto the breast meat under the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey skin.
  4. Place the lemon halves and onion quarters inside the main cavity of the turkey.
  5. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  6. Roast the turkey for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste the turkey with pan drippings every 45 minutes.
  7. If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
  8. Once the turkey reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This resting period helps keep the turkey juicy.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can place the turkey uncovered in the refrigerator overnight after applying the herb butter.
  • If you prefer not to stuff the bird, you can place aromatics like celery and carrots inside the cavity instead of the lemon and onion.
  • Use a reliable meat thermometer; this is the best way to avoid dry turkey meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/best-turkey-recipe-juicy-crispy-skin/