1. Can I use frozen turkey for this recipe?

Yes, you can use a frozen turkey, but be sure to allow enough time for it to thaw completely. A 14-16 pound turkey will need 3-4 days in the refrigerator to thaw. Once thawed, follow the recipe as instructed.

2. Can I make the garlic herb butter in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the garlic herb butter up to two days before roasting. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before spreading it under the skin.

3. What should I do if I don't have fresh herbs?

If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs can be a good substitute. However, fresh herbs deliver a more vibrant flavor. Use about 1/3 of the amount specified for fresh herbs when using dried varieties.

4. Can I stuff the turkey with traditional stuffing?

While this recipe suggests stuffing the turkey cavity with citrus and herbs for flavor, you can absolutely use a separate stuffing recipe. Just make sure to cook the stuffing to the proper temperature separately, as stuffing inside the turkey can affect cooking time.

Garlic Herb Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe – Perfectly Juicy

Name: Garlic Herb Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14-16 pound turkey (thawed); 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), softened, divided; 1 head garlic, sliced in half; 2 cloves garlic, minced into paste; 1 medium onion, cut into wedges; 1 lemon, cut into wedges; 1 orange, cut into wedges; Fresh sage, a few sprigs; Fresh rosemary, a few sprigs; Fresh thyme, a few sprigs; Fresh parsley, a few sprigs; Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Description

This Garlic Herb Butter Thanksgiving Turkey recipe features a flavorful, juicy turkey infused with a rich garlic herb butter, ensuring a golden, crispy skin and tender meat. A perfect dish for any festive gathering, especially Thanksgiving, this turkey is aromatic and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

14-16 pound turkey (thawed)
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), softened, divided
1 head garlic, sliced in half
2 cloves garlic, minced into paste
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
Fresh sage, a few sprigs
Fresh rosemary, a few sprigs
Fresh thyme, a few sprigs
Fresh parsley, a few sprigs
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey neck and giblets, then pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
Season the inside of the turkey with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Stuff the turkey cavity with onion wedges, halved garlic, lemon, orange, and fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme).
Combine 4 tablespoons of softened butter with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, and chopped herbs in a small bowl. Mix well.
Loosen the skin from the turkey breast and legs gently using your fingers or a spoon. Spread half of the garlic herb butter mixture under the skin.
Tuck the wings under the bird and secure the turkey legs with the extra skin at the base of the backbone or kitchen twine.
Spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey and season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Roast the turkey at 325°F for 2 hours, then increase the temperature to 425°F for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the turkey’s size.
Check the turkey’s temperature: The breast meat should reach 165°F and the thickest part of the thigh should be 170-175°F.
Let the turkey rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour before carving to ensure the meat stays moist.

Notes

Ensure the turkey is fully thawed before cooking; a 14-16 pound turkey takes 3-4 days to thaw in the refrigerator.
You can make the garlic herb butter up to two days in advance. Store it in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before using.
If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs can be used; reduce the quantity to 1/3 of fresh herbs.
For the best presentation, tuck a few fresh herbs into the turkey before serving for an aromatic finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1/12 of turkey)
Calories: 420
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 120mg