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A golden brown herb-roasted turkey on a silver platter with roasted vegetables

Classic Herb-Roasted Turkey

Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey (12-14 lbs) , thawed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon , halved
  • 2 stalks celery , cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 2 medium carrots , cut into 3-inch pieces

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and adjust oven rack to the lowest position.
  • Remove turkey from refrigerator, discard giblets and neck, and pat the skin completely dry with paper towels.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage to create a compound butter.
  • Season the turkey cavity with salt and pepper, then stuff with onion, lemon, celery, and carrots.
  • Gently lift the skin over the breast meat and spread half of the compound butter underneath the skin; rub the remaining butter over the entire exterior of the bird.
  • Generously season the exterior skin with the remaining salt and pepper.
  • Tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
  • Place turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan.
  • Roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone, registers 165°F (74°C).
  • Transfer turkey to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil; allow to rest for at least 30 to 45 minutes before carving.