Ingredients
– 10-14 pounds whole turkey (fresh or fully thawed if frozen)
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
– 2 teaspoons lemon zest
– 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
– 1 medium onion (quartered)
– 8 garlic cloves (smashed)
– half bunch fresh parsley
– kosher salt amount as needed
– freshly ground black pepper amount as needed
Instructions
1-Remove turkey neck, giblets, and pin feathers, then pat dry inside and out with paper towels. Let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour to help the skin dry for better butter adhesion.
2-Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF, or 325ยฐF if using a convection oven, to set the stage for even roasting.
3-Tuck the wings under the turkey and season the cavity with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for a solid flavor base.
4-Mix the softened butter with lemon zest, fresh thyme, and chopped fresh rosemary, then gently separate the skin from the turkey breasts without tearing it.
5-Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a pan and spread one-third of the butter mixture under the skin over the breasts and sides; rub the remaining butter over the skin, skipping the underside.
6-Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh parsley, and optionally tie the legs with kitchen twine for even cooking.
7-Roast the turkey until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 175ยฐF and the breast reaches 165ยฐF, which takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes; tent with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
8-Rest the turkey for 30-60 minutes before carving to let the juices settle and keep the meat tender.
Last Step:
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๐ช Do not rinse the turkey; pat dry to avoid spreading bacteria.
๐ก๏ธ Use a food thermometer to monitor internal temperature and avoid overcooking, especially the breast meat.
โฒ๏ธ Rest the turkey before and after cooking for better flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Resting Time: 1 hour before roasting, 30โ60 minutes after roasting
- Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 3 ounces)
- Calories: 340 calories
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Sodium: 90 milligrams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 40 grams
- Cholesterol: 125 milligrams
