Tender & Juicy Savory Roast Turkey Recipe for Holidays

Thanksgiving gatherings buzz with anticipation when a perfectly seasoned roast turkey arrives at savory roast turkey recipe center stage.

The golden-brown bird promises tender, juicy meat that melts in your mouth.

Crispy skin glistens with herbs and rich spices, hinting at the delectable feast ahead.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, passing down techniques that make every bite memorable.

Aromatic rosemary and thyme infuse the meat with layers of flavor that dance across your palate.

Each slice tells a story of culinary tradition and comfort.

This recipe delivers a showstopping main course that will have everyone asking for seconds.

How to Serve Roast Turkey Family-Style

• Festive Family Feast: Gather loved ones around the table and create a memorable holiday meal centerpiece with this golden, herb-infused roast turkey.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, savory turkey with a crisp chardonnay or a smooth pinot noir to enhance the herb-butter flavors and elevate the dining experience.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining turkey into delicious sandwiches, hearty soups, or creamy pot pies, ensuring no delectable meat goes to waste after the main meal.
• Side Dish Symphony: Serve alongside classic roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and warm dinner rolls to complete the traditional thanksgiving spread.

Storage Advice for Leftover Roast Turkey

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover turkey in airtight containers, separating white and dark meat to maintain optimal moisture and flavor. Seal tightly to prevent refrigerator odors from affecting the meat's taste.
• Quick Meal Transformation: Slice or shred remaining turkey for sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles within 3-4 days. Mix with mayonnaise, herbs, or create tasty wraps for quick lunches.
• Freezer Smart Technique: Portion cooked turkey into meal-sized containers or freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen turkey stays delicious for up to 4 months when properly wrapped.
• Reheating Magic: Warm turkey slices gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Alternatively, use the oven at 325°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of broth for extra juiciness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Savory Roast Turkey

• Turkey: Succulent centerpiece that promises a mouthwatering main course, choose a fresh, plump bird with no discoloration or odd smell, opt for organic or free-range for richer flavor.

• Butter, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Garlic: Aromatic blend that infuses deep, earthy richness into the meat, select fresh herbs with vibrant green color and crisp texture, dried herbs work as a convenient alternative.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances the turkey's natural taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor intensity.

• Lemon: Bright citrus element that adds zesty freshness and helps tenderize the meat, choose firm, heavy lemons with smooth, glossy skin.
• Additional Herbs, Garlic: Complementary aromatics that create a fragrant interior, select firm garlic cloves without sprouts or soft spots.

Roasting Essentials and Tools to Use

• Roasting Pan: Large, sturdy pan with a rack to elevate the turkey and catch drippings.
• Baking Sheet: Helps with initial turkey preparation and handling.
• Kitchen Twine: Optional but helpful for tying turkey legs together.
• Meat Thermometer: Crucial for checking internal temperature of the turkey thigh.
• Sharp Carving Knife: Essential for precise and clean turkey carving.
• Mixing Bowl: For combining herb butter ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: To accurately measure herbs and seasonings.
• Cutting Board: For preparing herbs and turkey.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover turkey if skin browns too quickly.

How to Roast a Tender and Savory Turkey

• Turkey Preparation

Remove turkey from refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature naturally. Place on a clean baking sheet.

• Herb Infusion

Create a flavorful butter blend mixing fragrant sage, thyme, rosemary, crushed garlic, and seasonings.

• Oven Positioning

Position oven rack in lower third section and preheat to high temperature.

• Turkey Cleaning

Discard internal organs, drain excess moisture, ensuring turkey surface is completely dry.

• Seasoning Technique

Generously sprinkle salt and pepper across entire turkey surface. Fill cavity with fresh citrus, aromatic herbs, and garlic cloves. Massage herbed butter thoroughly over skin.

• Positioning for Roasting

Gently fold wing tips underneath body. Secure legs with kitchen string if desired. Arrange turkey breast side up on roasting rack.

• Cooking Process

Lower oven temperature and roast slowly until internal thigh temperature reaches optimal point. Shield with aluminum foil if skin darkens too quickly.

• Resting Period

Allow turkey to rest peacefully after cooking, enabling juices to redistribute throughout meat before carving.

Rubs, Herbs & Tips for More Flavor

• Soak the turkey in a saltwater solution overnight to enhance juiciness and ensure a more tender, flavorful meat throughout the roasting process.
• Skip traditional cavity stuffing and instead scatter aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery around the roasting pan to infuse additional depth and complexity into the turkey's flavor.
• Use a digital meat thermometer for accurate temperature readings, checking multiple spots to guarantee the turkey reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking.
• Pour a cup of white wine or chicken broth into the roasting pan during cooking to create delicious pan drippings that can be transformed into a rich, flavorful gravy.

Succulent Roast Turkey Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Succulent roast turkey brings festive flavors from traditional American holiday cooking. Crisp herbs, golden skin, and rich pan drippings promise a memorable centerpiece with delightful textures you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (14-16 lb / 6.35-7.26 kg) whole turkey
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 head garlic, break into cloves and peel
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely
• A few sprigs each of fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper, or to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, halved

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Instructions

1. Preparation Ritual: Liberate turkey from refrigeration, allowing it to luxuriate at ambient temperature for one hour while positioned on a spacious baking sheet.
2. Herb Infusion: Craft a robust compound by blending softened butter with sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper into a fragrant mixture.
3. Thermal Calibration: Position oven rack in lower third, ignite to a scorching 450°F, creating an ideal roasting environment.
4. Cavity Cleansing: Extract giblets and neck, meticulously drain moisture, ensuring turkey’s surface is pristinely dry.
5. Seasoning Ceremony: Lavishly coat exterior with salt and pepper, then generously massage herb butter across entire surface, achieving complete coverage.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Nestle quartered lemon, herb sprigs, and whole garlic cloves within turkey’s internal chamber, infusing deep aromatic complexity.
7. Structural Refinement: Elegantly fold wing tips underneath, truss legs securely with kitchen twine to promote uniform heat distribution.
8. Thermal Transformation: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, roast methodically until thigh’s core reaches 165°F, approximately three hours.
9. Protective Maneuver: Should skin darken excessively, gently drape aluminum foil to prevent scorching while maintaining moisture.
10. Resting Protocol: After roasting, allow turkey to recuperate undisturbed for 20 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensure succulent meat before carving.

Notes

• Bring to Room Temperature: Allow turkey to sit out for one hour before cooking to ensure even roasting and prevent uneven cooking.
• Herb Butter Magic: Generously massage herb compound beneath and over skin for maximum flavor infusion and crispy, golden exterior.
• Moisture Control: Pat turkey completely dry before seasoning to achieve perfectly crisp skin and prevent steaming during roasting.
• Resting is Crucial: Let turkey rest 20 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, guaranteeing moist and tender meat throughout.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg