A Thanksgiving or holiday table wouldn’t be complete with a big ol’ juicy and flavorful turkey at the center! This easy, no-fail Thanksgiving turkey recipe will knock your socks off, and be the best turkey you’ll ever serve! The secret to this juicy and aromatic turkey is my herbed garlic butter, and lots of it! Plus, check out my turkey roasting chart and my turkey drippings gravy recipe!
This recipe is measured for a 9 pound turkey; adjust the recipe according torial for a smoky and unforgettable flavor!
Defrost Your Turkey!!
*Important* – turkeys need at least 4 tor! Make sure you take yours out of the freezer ahead of time!
Try Brining the Turkey First!
If you want to any turkey recipe! When brining the turkey, make sure it is completely defrosted first. Plan accordingly and give yourself a few extra days for defrosting!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Turkey
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make the best turkey!
Herbed garlic butter and lots of it!! I season the butter with loads of spices, such as smoked paprika, basil, oregano and garlic.
I love to add moisture and a fresh flavor twist.
I also add loads of garlic, shallots and big bundle of fresh herbs. You’ll love the aroma of this turkey in the oven!
Chicken Broth: for adding to the oven.
How to Roast a Turkey
Preheat the oven to puncture the skin.
Prepare the herbed butter spread. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, salt and all the spices. Mix until well combined. For easier spreading, heat the butter in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, until it’s a bit runny.
Spread the butter underneath the turkey skin, inside and all over, coating it well. Stuff the turkey with the citrus fruit, garlic, herbs and shallots. Next, use twine to truss the turkey.
TIP: wrap the drumstick tips with foil to prevent them from burning!
Bake the turkey in the preheated oven, using my above chart for timing. At the 2 hours baking mark, baste the turkey with the 1/2 cup melted butter using a pastry brush. Pour in a cup or two of chicken broth into the oven. Continue baking, basting one more time 30 minutes before the turkey is done and once you remove it from the oven.
Roast the turkey until the internal temperature measured at the thickest part of the thigh measures 165F.
Tent the turkey with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes. Use a sharp knife and carving fork to carve the turkey.
Turkey Roasting Guide by Weight
Use this handy turkey roasting guide to a safe temperature. The internal temperature should be taken at the thickest part of the turkey, in the thigh and drumstick area. The turkey is ready when it reaches 165F/74C.
Serving Your Turkey!
Presenting your turkey is as important is the baking process! Learn how torial! https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/recipe-items/carve-a-turkey/
Garnish your turkey platter with lots of color and a variety of fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs. Here are some of the garnishes that I like to use:
Turkey Drippings Gravy Recipe
You can’t serve your amazing, juicy turkey without gravy so I’ve included the most incredible turkey drippings gravy! It’s the one and only recipe I use and it’s so easy to make! Once the turkey is done baking and it’s resting, just strain the turkey drippings using a fine mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth. The cheesecloth will catch all the little bits you don’t want in the gravy. Use the drippings for the gravy! It’s that easy and ridiculously delicious!
Common Turkey Questions
Can I prepare the turkey ahead of time?
Yes! You can season, stuffed and butter up the turkey the night before and place it ontor.
Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes, I recommend making the garlic butter ahead of time to prepare.
Can I use this recipe for a larger turkey?
Yes! This recipe is super easy to adjust up or down depending on turkey size. For an extra large turkey, I recommend making double the garlic butter.
Defrost Your Turkey!!
*Important* – turkeys need at least 4 tor! Make sure you take yours out of the freezer ahead of time!
Try Brining the Turkey First!
If you want to any turkey recipe! When brining the turkey, make sure it is completely defrosted first. Plan accordingly and give yourself a few extra days for defrosting!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Turkey
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make the best turkey!
Herbed garlic butter and lots of it!! I season the butter with loads of spices, such as smoked paprika, basil, oregano and garlic.
I love to add moisture and a fresh flavor twist.
I also add loads of garlic, shallots and big bundle of fresh herbs. You’ll love the aroma of this turkey in the oven!
Chicken Broth: for adding to the oven.
How to Roast a Turkey
Preheat the oven to puncture the skin.
Prepare the herbed butter spread. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, salt and all the spices. Mix until well combined. For easier spreading, heat the butter in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, until it’s a bit runny.
Spread the butter underneath the turkey skin, inside and all over, coating it well. Stuff the turkey with the citrus fruit, garlic, herbs and shallots. Next, use twine to truss the turkey.
TIP: wrap the drumstick tips with foil to prevent them from burning!
Bake the turkey in the preheated oven, using my above chart for timing. At the 2 hours baking mark, baste the turkey with the 1/2 cup melted butter using a pastry brush. Pour in a cup or two of chicken broth into the oven. Continue baking, basting one more time 30 minutes before the turkey is done and once you remove it from the oven.
Roast the turkey until the internal temperature measured at the thickest part of the thigh measures 165F.
Tent the turkey with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes. Use a sharp knife and carving fork to carve the turkey.
Turkey Roasting Guide by Weight
Use this handy turkey roasting guide to a safe temperature. The internal temperature should be taken at the thickest part of the turkey, in the thigh and drumstick area. The turkey is ready when it reaches 165F/74C.
Serving Your Turkey!
Presenting your turkey is as important is the baking process! Learn how torial! https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/recipe-items/carve-a-turkey/
Garnish your turkey platter with lots of color and a variety of fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs. Here are some of the garnishes that I like to use:
- pomegranate segments; mini apples; orange or mandarin slices; orange wedges; cranberries
- shallots, carrots, green onion
- fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage or bay leaves
Turkey Drippings Gravy Recipe
You can’t serve your amazing, juicy turkey without gravy so I’ve included the most incredible turkey drippings gravy! It’s the one and only recipe I use and it’s so easy to make! Once the turkey is done baking and it’s resting, just strain the turkey drippings using a fine mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth. The cheesecloth will catch all the little bits you don’t want in the gravy. Use the drippings for the gravy! It’s that easy and ridiculously delicious!
Common Turkey Questions
Can I prepare the turkey ahead of time?
Yes! You can season, stuffed and butter up the turkey the night before and place it ontor.
Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes, I recommend making the garlic butter ahead of time to prepare.
Can I use this recipe for a larger turkey?
Yes! This recipe is super easy to adjust up or down depending on turkey size. For an extra large turkey, I recommend making double the garlic butter.
Watch My Turkey Video Tutorial!
Watch my YouTube video recipe for all the details and step-by-step instructions for how to my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!