Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe

Sliced oven roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans.

5 from 8 votes

A classic Thanksgiving Oven Roasted Turkey made with herb butter and citrus for rich flavor throughout. Moist, savory, and golden brown, it's the centerpiece of a comforting holiday meal.

Prep Time20

Cook Time2 30

Total Time2 50

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: turkey

Calories: 6228kcal

Author: Andrea

Ingredients

1 (10-12 lb) turkey
8 tbsp unsalted butter
1 lemon zested
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp fresh rosemary minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2-3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 lemon quartered
1/2 yellow onion quartered
1 head garlic halved crosswise

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Remove the giblets from the turkey. Wash the turkey inside and out. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels.
Combine 8 tablespoons of butter with the lemon zest, thyme leaves, minced rosemary, salt, and pepper. Rub under the skin of the turkey, being careful not to break the skin. Baste the outside of the turkey by brushing the skin with the melted butter, salt, and pepper. Stuff the turkey cavity with a bunch of thyme, bunch of rosemary, lemon, quartered onion, and garlic. You do not need to remove the skin or seeds from any of the ingredients.
Tuck the wings under the turkey, then truss the turkey by tying the wings, drumsticks, and legs.
Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 2 – 2 ½ hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. A thermometer should read 155 degrees Fahrenheit (68 degrees Celsius). Remove the turkey and cover with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 20 minutes. Move the turkey to a cutting board, slice, and serve.

Notes

Once cooled, STORE leftover Oven Baked Turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. You can also remove the skin and place the meat in freezer-safe bags or containers to FREEZE for up to 2–3 months.

When REHEATING, it’s best to thaw the frozen turkey in the fridge first. Warm in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) for 15–20 minutes, or in the microwave in 30-second to 1-minute intervals until heated through. Avoid overcooking to keep it tender.

Nutrition