Print

Quick Herb Butter Roasted Turkey with Easy Gravy

herb butter roasted turkey - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick herb butter roasted turkey with easy gravy is the recipe that changed how I think about cooking for a crowd. It taught me that simple doesn’t mean boring, and that shortcuts aren’t cheating — they’re smart.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 whole turkey (10–14 pounds), thawed if frozen, neck and giblets removed
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for seasoning the cavity and outside)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Pan drippings from the roasted turkey
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (plus more if needed)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Move the rack to the lowest position. Take the turkey out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove the turkey from its packaging. Take out the neck and giblets. Use paper towels to pat the turkey completely dry, inside and out.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Mix until evenly distributed.
  4. Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast. Slide your hand down until you’ve loosened the skin over the entire breast and the tops of the thighs. Take about half the herb butter and smear it directly onto the breast meat under the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey.
  5. Sprinkle the inside cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion, celery chunks, lemon halves, and thyme sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine if you have it. Tuck the wing tips under the body.
  6. Place the turkey breast-side up on the rack in your roasting pan. Pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the pan. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 30 minutes.
  7. After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue roasting, uncovered, for about 13 minutes per pound. For a 12-pound turkey, that’s about 2 hours and 15 minutes more.
  8. About 30 minutes before the estimated finish time, start checking the temperature. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The turkey is done when the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) and the breast reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Once done, carefully transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. Cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm.
  10. While the turkey rests, pour the pan drippings through a fine-mesh strainer into a fat separator or a measuring cup. Let it sit for a minute so the fat rises to the top. Skim off the fat, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat. Add the reserved fat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture is golden and smells nutty. Slowly pour in the defatted drippings plus enough chicken broth to make 2 cups total. Whisk c…
  11. Carve the turkey against the grain into thin slices. Arrange on a platter and spoon some gravy over the top. Serve the remaining gravy on the side. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time. Use a thermometer, not a timer. Keep the skin dry for crispiness. Multitask the gravy while the turkey rests. Don’t overcrowd the pan if roasting vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: herb butter roasted turkey, easy turkey recipe, quick turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, roasted turkey with gravy

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/quick-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-with-easy-gravy/