Go Back
A perfectly cooked roast turkey, golden brown and ready to serve.

Quick way to grow the perfect Roast Turkey

This recipe guides you through roasting a turkey to perfection, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bird every time. Ideal for holiday feasts or special gatherings, this method simplifies the process without sacrificing taste.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 1800
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 whole turkey 12-14 pounds, thawed
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 2 carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Roasting rack
  • Meat thermometer
  • Small bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and ensure the turkey is thawed; remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavities, then pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create an herb butter.
  3. Gently separate the skin from the breast meat of the turkey and spread about half of the herb butter mixture underneath the skin, then rub the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey.
Roasting
  1. Place the quartered onion, chopped carrots, and chopped celery inside the turkey cavity.
  2. Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan, then pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
  3. Roast for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C), basting every 30-45 minutes with the pan juices.
  4. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil.
Resting and Serving
  1. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board, then tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
  2. Carve the turkey and serve warm with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For an extra flavorful turkey, brine it overnight before roasting. You can also add other aromatics like lemon slices or apple wedges to the cavity for more flavor. The resting period is crucial for juicy turkey, so don't skip it!