Description
Impress your guests with this golden, crispy-skinned Perfect Roast Turkey—a showstopping centerpiece for any holiday table. This easy recipe delivers juicy, flavorful meat thanks to a garlic-herb butter rubbed beneath the skin and stuffed citrus aromatics inside. Whether you’re searching for holiday dinner ideas, a simple turkey recipe, or easy food ideas to feed a crowd, this method will give you consistent, delicious results every time. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special gathering, this easy dinner recipe promises moist meat, crisp skin, and plenty of praise.
Ingredients
12–14 pounds whole turkey, fully thawed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 onion, quartered
1 orange, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage for cavity stuffing
2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
olive oil, optional (for rubbing skin if preferred over butter)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and position the rack in the lower third. Remove giblets and pat the turkey dry. Let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub half under the skin and the rest over the surface.
3. Stuff the turkey cavity with onion, orange, lemon, halved garlic, and extra herbs. Tie legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under.
4. Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour broth into the pan bottom.
5. Roast the turkey for 13–15 minutes per pound, basting every 30–45 minutes, until breast reaches 165°F and thigh 175°F.
6. If the skin darkens too quickly, loosely tent with foil during roasting.
7. Remove from oven and let rest under foil for 30 minutes before carving.
8. Carve and serve with garnishes like citrus and fresh herbs.
Notes
Always start with a thawed turkey and bring it to room temperature before roasting.
Rubbing herb butter under the skin guarantees flavor and moisture.
Allow proper resting time to keep the juices inside the meat.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 3.5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th of turkey
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: perfect roast turkey, easy turkey recipe, holiday dinner, Thanksgiving dinner, crispy skin turkey