Easy Oven-Roasted Turkey
The turkey may be the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner, but preparing it does not have to be the most stressful part of the meal. With a simple roasting method and plenty of fresh herbs, you can make a beautifully golden turkey that is juicy, flavorful, and worthy of the center of your holiday table.
This Easy Oven-Roasted Turkey keeps things classic and uncomplicated. Instead of relying on complicated techniques, the turkey is seasoned generously with an herb butter that helps create flavorful meat and beautifully browned, crispy skin. Aromatics tucked inside the cavity add even more flavor as the turkey roasts.
The key is giving yourself enough time for the turkey to roast gently and, just as importantly, rest before carving. That resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, helping every slice stay tender and moist.
If cooking a whole turkey feels intimidating, this straightforward recipe is a great place to start. Pair it with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and gravy for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Easy Oven-Roasted Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey, 12 to 14 pounds, completely thawed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 fresh sage leaves
- 2 cups bone broth (chicken or turkey)
Instructions
- Remove the completely thawed turkey from the refrigerator approximately 45 minutes before roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Remove the turkey from its packaging. Take out the neck and giblets from the cavities and reserve them for gravy or discard them.
- Pat the turkey thoroughly dry inside and out with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the skin become golden and crisp.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, olive oil, rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Carefully loosen the skin over the turkey breasts by gently sliding your fingers between the skin and meat.
- Rub approximately 1/3 of the herb butter underneath the loosened skin directly over the breast meat.
- Rub the remaining herb butter generously over the entire outside of the turkey, including the legs and wings.
- Place the onion, lemon, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and sage leaves loosely inside the turkey cavity. Do not pack the cavity tightly.
- Tuck the wing tips underneath the turkey to help prevent them from burning. Tie the legs loosely together with kitchen twine if desired.
- Pour the broth into the bottom of the roasting pan, taking care not to pour it directly over the turkey.
- Transfer the turkey to the oven and roast for approximately 3 to 3 3/4 hours. Begin checking the temperature earlier rather than relying solely on cooking time, since every turkey and oven can cook differently.
- If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the breast with aluminum foil.
- Check the turkey with an instant-read food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh without touching bone. The turkey is safely cooked when both areas reach at least 165°F.
- Carefully remove the turkey from the oven and transfer it to a large cutting board or serving platter.
- Loosely tent the turkey with foil and allow it to rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving.
- Remove and discard the aromatics from the cavity. Carve the turkey and serve warm with your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
Notes
Chef Tips:
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. A partially frozen turkey will cook unevenly. For refrigerator thawing, allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.
- Trust your thermometer instead of the clock. Roasting times are estimates. Checking the internal temperature is the most reliable way to determine when your Thanksgiving turkey is safely cooked without unnecessarily overcooking it.
- Do not skip the resting time. Cutting into the turkey immediately allows more of the juices to escape. Resting for at least 30 minutes helps keep the meat moist and also gives you time to finish your Thanksgiving side dishes and gravy.
- Keep an eye on the skin. If your turkey reaches the perfect golden brown color before the meat is finished cooking, loosely tent it with foil for the remainder of the roasting time.
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Hi, my name is Kate.
I love food. Real food. We eat all of the things that nursing school taught me were bad for you: butter, eggs, bacon, and raw milk.
I am a Nurse, a Mom, and a Real Food loving blogger. Just trying to save the world.