Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe (Foolproof!)
This is the BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe that results in a golden, juicy, and insanely flavorful roasted turkey that’s sure to impress! No brining or basting needed, just simple steps for a tender inside and crispy outside turkey.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (depending on turkey size)
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 1x
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 to 18 pound turkey, fully thawed
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh sage
- kosher salt and black pepper
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered (for vegetables under turkey, optional)
- 3 celery ribs, roughly chopped (optional)
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare the turkey by removing giblets and patting dry.
- Place onion, lemon, and fresh herbs inside the turkey cavity.
- Season the turkey generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Prepare herb butter by mixing unsalted butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped rosemary, and thyme.
- Loosen the skin of the turkey and spread half of the herb butter under the skin, spreading the rest over the outside of the turkey.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack over a bed of chopped vegetables (optional).
- Roast the turkey until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, using a probe thermometer to check the thickest part of the thigh.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
No need to brine or baste the turkey; the herb butter under the skin ensures juiciness and flavor. Using a probe thermometer is essential for perfectly cooked turkey. Resting the turkey after roasting is crucial for juicy meat.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 120
Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/juiciest-turkey-recipe/