Print

Perfect Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey – Easy Holiday Recipe

garlic herb butter roasted turkey - featured image
Print Recipe

This garlic herb butter roasted turkey delivers impossibly juicy meat with crackling golden skin, thanks to a dry brine and herb butter technique. It’s the foolproof holiday centerpiece that will change your family traditions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), fully thawed if frozen (remove giblets and neck, pat dry inside and out)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal preferred; use 1.5 tablespoons if using Morton’s)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (European-style like Kerrygold recommended)
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved (zest already used above)
  • 1 onion, quartered (yellow or sweet onion)
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, smashed (skin on is fine)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or turkey stock)
  • 1 cup dry white wine (optional; use more broth if skipping)
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Dry brine the turkey 24-48 hours before cooking: Pat turkey completely dry with paper towels. Mix kosher salt and pepper, sprinkle evenly all over turkey including cavity and under skin. Place on a rimmed baking sheet with rack and refrigerate uncovered for 24-48 hours.
  2. About an hour before roasting, make the garlic herb butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Remove turkey from refrigerator 45 minutes before roasting. Pat dry again with paper towels. Gently loosen skin from breast meat using fingers. Spread about two-thirds of herb butter directly onto breast meat under the skin. Spread remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey.
  4. Place halved lemon, quartered onion, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and smashed garlic cloves inside the turkey cavity. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Tuck wing tips under the body.
  5. Place chopped onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pour in chicken broth and white wine (if using). Place turkey on rack over vegetables.
  6. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roast turkey on lower-middle rack for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Continue roasting, basting every 45 minutes with pan juices. If skin browns too quickly, tent breast loosely with aluminum foil. Total roasting time: approximately 13-15 minutes per pound (about 3 to 3.5 hours for a 14-pound turkey).
  7. Start checking temperature about 30 minutes before estimated finish time. Insert thermometer into thickest part of thigh without touching bone. Turkey is done when thigh reaches 165°F and breast reaches 160°F (will carry over to 165°F while resting).
  8. Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest for at least 30-45 minutes, tented loosely with foil. Remove twine, pull out aromatics, and carve against the grain.

Notes

Do not skip the dry brine—it’s the single biggest factor for juicy, well-seasoned meat. Let the turkey rest for at least 30-45 minutes after roasting to allow juices to redistribute. Trust the thermometer over the timer. For dairy-free, use high-quality vegan butter. For lower sodium, reduce dry brine salt to 1 tablespoon and skip extra salt in butter. The herb butter can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic herb butter roasted turkey, holiday turkey recipe, juicy turkey, crispy skin turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas turkey, dry brine turkey, herb butter turkey

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/perfect-garlic-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-easy-holiday-recipe/