Easy Thanksgiving Turkey (No-Fail, Juicy & Crispy) Recipe
This is the BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe. My easy, foolproof turkey is juicy, golden, and packed with flavor. And you don’t have to brine or baste it! With just a few simple steps you’ll have a perfectly cooked turkey that’s tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and guaranteed to impress your guests for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday dinner. The recipe uses an herb butter mixture and fresh aromatics for incredible flavor without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 14 servings (using a 14 pound turkey) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Roast Turkey
- 12 to 18 pound turkey, fully thawed
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh sage
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Herb Butter
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
Vegetables Under Turkey (Optional)
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 celery ribs, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Bring the turkey to room temperature: Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour before roasting. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavities and set aside for gravy or discard.
- Fill the cavity: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat the outside of the turkey dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season the inside of the cavity generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with quartered onion, lemon wedges, and fresh sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and sage, being careful not to overfill to allow proper airflow.
- Make the herb butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, finely chopped fresh rosemary, and thyme. Mix until well blended.
- Rub the herb butter all over: Gently loosen the skin on top of the turkey breasts by sliding your fingers underneath. Spread about one-third of the herb butter mixture evenly under the skin directly onto the breast meat. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the exterior of the turkey, ensuring even coverage.
- Place on a roasting rack: Set the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan or place it on a bed of chopped vegetables such as onions, celery, and carrots if you don’t have a rack. Tuck the wing tips under the turkey to prevent burning.
- Cook the turkey: Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 158°-160°F measured in the thickest part of the thigh or breast. Monitor the turkey after about 75% of the cooking time; if the skin is browning too fast, tent with aluminum foil. The temperature will continue to rise to 165°F while the bird rests.
- Let it rest: Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 30 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute for a moist, tender turkey. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm if desired.
- Carve and serve: Carve the turkey using a sharp carving knife, saving the pan juices for making delicious gravy. Serve on a platter alongside your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
Notes
- Do not stuff the turkey with dressing or stuffing; cook stuffing separately for even cooking and better texture.
- Do not wash the turkey before cooking to avoid kitchen contamination; bacteria will be killed during roasting.
- It is recommended not to truss the legs to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Recommended thawing time is approximately 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey in the refrigerator.
- If using a turkey larger than 18 pounds, increase the amount of herb butter and adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Ovens vary, so use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature rather than relying solely on cooking times.
Keywords: Thanksgiving turkey, roasted turkey, herb butter turkey, holiday turkey recipe, easy turkey recipe, juicy turkey
