Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipe

Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating

100% would make again

Our guests always comment on how moist and flavorful this elegant entree is. Rubbed with garden-fresh herbs, this turkey has such a wonderful aroma when it's roasting that it lures everyone into the kitchen!

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  • 12-14 Servings
  • Prep: 10 min. Bake: 4 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey (14 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 18 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
  • 4 medium onions, sliced
  • 4 celery ribs, sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced chives

Directions

  • Rub the surface of the turkey and sprinkle cavity with salt and pepper. Place 12 sprigs of thyme in cavity. In a large heavy roasting pan, place onions, celery, carrots, bay leaves, peppercorns and remaining thyme sprigs. Place the turkey, breast side up, over vegetables. Drizzle butter over turkey and sprinkle with minced herbs.
  • Cover loosely with foil. Bake at 325° for 2-1/2 hours. Remove foil; bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, basting every 20 minutes.
  • Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Discard bay leaves and peppercorns; thicken pan drippings for gravy if desired. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Herb-Roasted Turkey published in Country Woman November/December 2000, p29

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Reviews for Herb-Roasted Turkey (6)

Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipe

Herb-Roasted Turkey

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Reviewed on Dec. 11, 2009 by MrsMelton

This was only my second time ever making a turkey! I had a big crowd to feed being that we are stationed overseas and had invited a lot of my husband's soldiers from the barracks. It was so moist and flavorful, I will absolutely use it again, so so yummy!

Reviewed on Dec. 06, 2009 by fralor

This will continue to be the recipe I'll be using every year for preparing our Thanksgiving turkey. I received compliments at dinner and even more from those who took home leftovers for sandwiches. If you want a moist turkey, this is the recipe you want to use.

Reviewed on Nov. 29, 2009 by badkitty

This year I added some dried rosemary also-good addition!

Reviewed on Nov. 29, 2009 by badkitty

I made this again this year for the second time. It was just as great! The turkey meat is so moist and flavorful , it's incredible! This is seriously the best turkey recipe ever! Thank you a million times ! Try this recipe! I follow it exactly, omitting the chives.

Reviewed on Dec. 01, 2008 by badkitty

This was such a delicious turkey! Thank you so much for the best bird I've ever cooked. I followed the recipe exactly except for my bird was 20 pounds and I didn't use the chives. So moist and flavorful. This is my recipe from now on!

Reviewed on Jan. 03, 2008 by CherylShumaker

Very succulent flavor....very tender, very good recipe!

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