Easy Turkey Recipe (The BEST)

Does anyone else feel like making a turkey has become so overcomplicated? I was once slightly afraid to be in charge of making the turkey for holiday meals, but now I think it’s the easiest part! This easy turkey recipe give you everything you need to know how to roast a turkey perfectly.

I love this recipe because of its simplicity — it’s so straightforward that I think even a 10-year-old could do it! The best part? For very little effort, you’ll be showered with compliments. Trust me on this one. The herb butter paired with the steaming broth help make this turkey soo good in only a few short hours.

If you’ve been put in charge of making the turkey for Thanksgiving (or maybe just for your family), here are some amazing side dishes to pair with it (including stuffing, breads, and salads). After years of testing and making it for my own family, I’m confident this will be the best thanksgiving turkey recipe you’ll find. Good luck!

Thawing & Roasting Timelines

Time is very important to consider when it comes to making turkey. Turkeys often come frozen, so you’ll need to know how long it’ll take for your frozen turkey to thaw in order to be ready for your meal. Look at this infographic to quickly determine how much time you’ll need.

You’ll also need to know how long to expect your turkey to cook depending on its weight. Here’s another infographic to help you with cook times! Remember to bake at 325°F for the juiciest bird.

How to Roast the Perfect Turkey

Making a moist, roasted turkey in the oven is not as difficult as it’s thought to be. With this easy turkey recipe, you’ll be ready to make a turkey for Thanksgiving (or any day) with no worries!

• Make the herb butter: Dice the herbs and add them to a mixing bowl. Using a good garlic press (here’s my favorite), press the cloves into the bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Add the softened butter and stir until well-combined.
• Store the herb butter mix: Place about 70% of the butter into a plastic bag and form it into a log at the very bottom. Place the bag of butter into the fridge to harden. Alternatively form the butter into a log in a piece of plastic wrap and roll it up tightly.
• Prep the roasting pan: Chop the veggies (carrots and celery) into big pieces and place them into the bottom of a roasting pan. I’ve been using this pan for years now! Pour the broth on top of the aromatics and insert the wire roasting rack.
• Prep the turkey: Remove the giblets from inside the turkey and pat it dry of any excess moisture with paper towels. Place the turkey on the wire roasting rack, then loosen the turkey skin from the flesh with your fingers.
• Season the turkey: Slice the herb butter into coins and evenly distribute them underneath the skin. Season the turkey liberally with kosher salt and black pepper. Tie the turkey legs together with twine. Then, stuff the cavity of the turkey with the onion halves and spread the remaining butter all over the outer skin.
• Bake: Bake the turkey uncovered at 325°F for 3-5 hours depending on the weight.
• Carve: Allow the turkey to rest at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before carving it. You did it! Enjoy!

Simple Roasted Turkey Tips & Tricks

I know it’s easy to just say that this recipe is “simple”, but I really do mean it! Here are a few tips that I think make it really easy and worth your time!

• Be generous with the seasoning: You’re dealing with a big bird, so don’t skimp on the salt and pepper. Be generous with the seasoning. Often times, if you think you’ve added enough, add a couple more shakes of each!
• Mix and match your favorite herbs: Feel free to use whatever herbs you like for the butter. You truly can’t go wrong! Use one or a combination of fresh thyme, dill, cilantro, or parsley, but make sure they’re fresh herbs and not dried for maximum flavor.
• Cook the bird uncovered: There’s a lot of debate surrounding whether or not you should cook a turkey covered or uncovered. By pouring the broth into the bottom of your pan, you’ll create a steaming effect that prevents your turkey from burning. There’s no need to cover it!
• Baste (as needed): If you want a crispier, even more flavorful skin, consider basting it with the butter drippings. Do so at various points throughout baking.
• Allow the turkey to rest: Give the turkey at least 20 minutes to rest before you carve it. This helps to seal in all the juices and make it that much more tasty.
• Save the juices for gravy: All the lovely turkey drippings and melted butter at the bottom of the pan make for a wonderful gravy. Don’t waste them!

Storing Leftovers

Turkeys are big, and unless your family is huge, your likely to have turkey leftovers! Here’s how I store them in my household.

• Refrigerator: Refrigerate leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to four days.
• Freezer: If you have a ton of leftover roast turkey, freeze it! Place the carved pieces in a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to three months. To thaw, place into the refrigerator overnight.

More Easy Turkey Recipes

• Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers – Italian turkey stuffed peppers
• How To Make A Smoked Turkey – An alternative to roasted turkey
• Turkey Neck Soup – A heartwarming turkey potato soup
• Spatchcock Turkey – Roasted turkey in a fraction of the time

Recipe

Easy Turkey Recipe (The BEST)

Print Pin

Servings

12 Servings

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This easy turkey recipe makes a turkey roast that's packed with savory herb butter making it tender & juicy. It's worthy of being the center of your table spread!

Ingredients

• 1 turkey about 12-14 lbs
• 1/2 bunch herbs dill, parsley, or cilantro
• ½ head of garlic (about 6-9 cloves)
• 24 tbsp unsalted butter (3 sticks)
• 5 medium carrots
• 1 bunch celery
• 1 qt broth beef, turkey, or chicken
• 1 tbsp salt divided
• 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper divided
• 2 onions for stuffing cavity

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Chop the herbs and add them to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Press the garlic cloves into the bowl. Season with 1.5 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp pepper.
  
• Add the softened butter to the herb mixture.
  
• Place about 70% of the herb butter into a plastic storage bag. Press it towards the bottom of the bag, forming a log shape. Place the bag in the refrigerator to harden.
  
• Chop the carrots and celery into large chunks. Place the veggies into the bottom of a large roasting dish with a detachable roasting rack. Pour the broth directly over the veggies. Place the wire roasting rack inside the dish.
  
• Remove the giblets from inside the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the turkey inside the roasting dish on top of the wire roasting rack. Carefully use your fingers to loosen the skin away from the flesh, being extra careful not to rip it.
  
• Slice the herb butter into 1/4-inch thick coins. Lift the turkey skin and evenly distribute the butter coins underneath it. Season the outer turkey skin very generously with remaining 1.5 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp pepper. Tie the turkey legs together with twine.
  
• Remove the skin from the two onions and cut them in half. Stuff the onion pieces inside the cavity of the turkey. Spread the leftover butter on top of the turkey. Bake the turkey uncovered at 325°F for 3-5 hours depending on the weight. Note: A 12-14 pound turkey will take about 3-3.5 hours to bake. Tack on an extra 13 minutes per pound if your turkey is heavier.
  
• Allow the turkey to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before carving it. Save all the drippings and broth at the bottom of the roasting pan for gravy. Slice and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Easy Turkey Recipe (The BEST)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 517 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 18g90%

Cholesterol 216mg72%

Sodium 461mg19%

Potassium 569mg16%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 47g94%

Vitamin A 5075IU102%

Vitamin C 1.5mg2%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 1.9mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.