Herb Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Recipe

If you’ve ever worried about serving dry turkey at Christmas dinner, this recipe is your new best friend.

This Herb Butter Roasted Whole Turkey comes out golden, juicy, and bursting with flavor every single time.

No complicated brining, no fancy equipment,  just simple, real ingredients that make the most beautiful centerpiece for your holiday meal.

Picture this: buttery crisp skin, tender meat that melts in your mouth, and a house that smells like pure Christmas magic. Sounds pretty good, right? 😋

Quick Summary

A no-fuss, foolproof recipe for the most flavorful roast turkey you’ll ever make. Perfect for Christmas dinner recipes, holiday meals, or any big celebration. This turkey is smothered in a garlicky herb butter, roasted until golden, and finished with the most irresistible pan juices for gravy.

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours (for a 6–7 kg / 12–14 lb turkey)
Serves: 10–12 people
Level: Easy (really!)

Ingredients

For the Herb Butter:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – the hero of this recipe

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

• 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp lemon zest – adds brightness

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

For the Turkey:

• 1 whole turkey, about 12–14 lbs (5.5–6.5 kg), thawed if frozen

• 1 large onion, quartered

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally

• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) – to stuff inside

• 1 cup chicken broth or water – keeps the drippings from burning

💡 Tip: If you can, take the turkey out of the fridge 1 hour before roasting so it cooks more evenly.

How to Make Herb Butter Roasted Whole Turkey

1) Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the rack in the lower third so the turkey sits in the center of the oven.

2) Make the herb butter

In a bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. It should be fragrant and creamy. This butter will flavor the turkey inside and out.

3) Prep the turkey

Remove the giblets (check the cavity!). Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels — this helps the skin crisp up beautifully.

Stuff the cavity with the onion, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. Don’t pack it too tightly; just enough to infuse flavor.

4) Butter under the skin

Gently loosen the skin over the breasts with your fingers (or the back of a spoon). Spread about two-thirds of the herb butter under the skin. Then rub the rest all over the outside.

Messy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

5) Truss and set up

Tie the legs loosely with kitchen twine, tuck the wings underneath, and place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth or water into the pan.

This keeps things steamy and prevents those gorgeous pan juices from burning (you’ll want them for gravy later!).

6) Roast

Roast uncovered for about 2½ to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

💡 Tip: If the top starts to brown too fast, tent it with foil.

Baste the turkey with the pan juices every 45 minutes for the ultimate golden, buttery finish.

7) Rest before carving

Once done, transfer the turkey to a board and rest for at least 30 minutes (covered loosely with foil). This helps all those flavorful juices settle into the meat — it’s the secret to that juicy bite.

8) Make gravy (optional but highly recommended!)

Use those pan drippings for the best turkey gravy of your life. Just pour off the excess fat, whisk in a bit of flour, and add some broth until smooth. Salt to taste. Done!

Serving Ideas

This turkey pairs beautifully with Christmas dinner side dishes like:

• Creamy mashed potatoes

• Classic stuffing

• Roasted carrots or green beans

• Cranberry sauce

• Soft dinner rolls

Basically, all your favorite Christmas food ideas for dinner fit right in here.

And if you’re planning a spread, this roast turkey easily becomes the star among other holiday recipes.  just add a few easy Christmas meal ideas like a baked brie appetizer and a festive dessert, and you’re set!

Final Thoughts

There’s something so special about serving a perfectly roasted turkey at the center of your table, golden, juicy, and carved to perfection. This Herb Butter Roasted Whole Turkey has become my go-to for holiday meals, and it never fails to impress.

If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below or share your beautiful turkey on Pinterest, you can find me at wellnesswarrior.

Happy cooking and happy holidays 🎄

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