Description
Garlic Butter Roast Turkey is the ultimate solution for anyone who values time and flavor. This recipe delivers a stunningly golden, crispy skin and incredibly juicy meat without requiring you to spend your entire day in the kitchen. With high-impact ingredients like fresh garlic and creamy butter, you achieve a sophisticated flavor profile effortlessly.
Ingredients
1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs)
1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened to room temperature)
8–10 cloves Fresh Garlic (minced or pressed)
2 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
1 tablespoon Black Pepper (freshly cracked)
1 large Lemon (halved for the cavity)
1 medium Yellow Onion (quartered for aromatics)
Instructions
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator at least 45 minutes before cooking. Pat the skin extremely dry with paper towels
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mash until it forms a uniform paste
- Gently loosen the skin over the breast meat and stuff about half of the garlic butter mixture under the skin. Rub the remaining butter over the exterior of the bird
- Place the halved lemon and quartered onion inside the cavity
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place the turkey on a roasting rack and roast at high temperature for 20 minutes
- Lower the oven temperature to 325°F and continue roasting until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, about 13-15 minutes per pound
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to the right temperature.
Salting the turkey 24 hours in advance can enhance flavor and texture.
Avoid opening the oven door frequently to maintain temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hrs
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg