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Simple Roast Turkey on a serving tray
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Simple Roast Turkey Recipe (The Best)

This simple recipe for roast turkey is tender, juicy, and packed with savory herb butter. Perfect for Thanksgiving or as the centerpiece of a home cooked meal!
Course Meats
Cuisine American
Keyword roasted turkey, turkey recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 517kcal
Author Natalya Drozhzhin

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey about 12-14lb
  • 1/2 bunch herbs dill, parsley, cilantro
  • 1/2 head of garlic
  • 3 sticks of unsalted butter
  • 5 medium carrots
  • 1 bunch celery
  • 1 qt broth beef, turkey or chicken
  • 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
US Units - Metric

Instructions

  • Chop the herbs and add them to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Press the garlic cloves into the bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper.
    Butter in a bowl with garlic and dill next to it
  • Add the softened butter into the herb mixture.
    Butter added into the bowl with herbs and seasoning
  • 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.
    Herbed butter in a ziploc bag
  • Dice 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.
    Carrots and celery in a large baking dish with the chicken bouillon
  • Rinse the turkey in the sink, remove the giblets, 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.
    Turkey in the large baking pan with herbed butter besides it
  • Slice the herb butter into 1/4-inch thick coins. Lift the skin and evenly distribute the butter coins underneath it. Season the outer turkey skin very generously with salt and pepper. Tie the turkey legs together with twine.
    Herbed butter placed under the skin of turkey
  • 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 350°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.
    Herbed buttered turkey on a baking pan
  • 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!
    Roast Turkey with garnish all around it

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 569mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5075IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.9mg