Butter Roasted Turkey – Juicy, and delicious, this is a perfect serving for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Yields 8-10 servings
30 minPrep Time
3 hr, 15 Cook Time
3 hr, 45 Total Time
Save Recipe5 based on 2 review(s)
Ingredients
1 (12 to 14 lb) whole turkey, giblets + neck removed, rinsed + patted dry
6 fresh sage leaves, divided
5 fresh thyme sprigs, divided
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 medium onions, cut into wedges
5 medium carrots, cut into 2" inch pieces
4 celery ribs, cut into 2" inch pieces
1 lemon, halved
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Compound Butter
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
5 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If your turkey is frozen, allow 2 to 3 days for it to fully defrost in the refrigerator. Remove giblets & neck, rinse & pat dry.
- To make the butter: In a medium bowl, combine butter, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, garlic, salt and black pepper and stir together until smooth and combined.
- Carefully loosen the skin from the turkey breast with your hands lifting and separating the meat. Do the same for the neck as well as the thighs and legs. Gently rub half of the butter under the skin using your hands and fingers and place 3 sage leaves and 2 thyme sprigs under the skin. Tie the legs together and tuck the wings underneath the turkey, using small skewers to secure, if necessary.
- Place 1/3 of the onions, celery, carrots, 2 sage leaves, 2 thyme sprigs, 1 rosemary sprig and lemon halves inside the cavity of the turkey. Place turkey, breast side up in a large roasting pan. Melt the remaining butter in the microwave and brush an even layer over the skin of the turkey. Arrange remaining carrots, celery and herbs in the pan around the turkey. Pour chicken broth to the bottom of the pan (will be using liquid to baste turkey).
- Preheat oven to 425°F and position rack on lower third of the oven. Once oven is ready, place the roasting pan in the oven and cook for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue to roast until a meat thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads 180°F and juices in the thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours (or longer depending on your oven), basting with pan broth & drippings every 30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly. Remove turkey from the pan and onto a baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Strain and reserve pan juices for gravy, if desired, and discard vegetables.
Notes
*Carrots and celery can be prepared in advance to save time *Compound butter can be made ahead of time and placed in a covered container in the refrigerator
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