Herb-Roasted Turkey with Savory Onion and Celery

Ingredients

- 1 whole turkey (approximately 12 lbs)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh thyme, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh sage, minced
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 large onions, quartered
- 4 celery stalks, chopped

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Ensure your turkey is thoroughly thawed and pat it dry with paper towels. Remove the giblets and neck from inside the turkey, if present.

2. Season the Turkey: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture generously over the entire turkey, making sure to cover both the outside and inside cavity for maximum flavor infusion.

3. Stuffing Preparation: Place the quartered onions and chopped celery inside the turkey cavity. This will infuse additional flavor and moisture during roasting.

4. Tying the Turkey: Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together to ensure even cooking. Then, tuck the wing tips under the turkey to avoid burning.

5. Roasting: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. This will help monitor the turkey’s internal temperature for perfect cooking.

6. Cook the Turkey: Place the turkey in the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 3 to 4 hours, or until the thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with its natural juices for a golden-brown finish and ensure the turkey remains moist.

7. Rest the Turkey: Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier turkey.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT30M
30 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT210M
3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time

Total Time:
PT240M
4 hours

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Turkey recipe, Herb-roasted turkey, Holiday turkey, Oven-roasted turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, Dinner recipes, Savory turkey, Easy turkey recipe, Turkey and herbs, Gourmet turkey

Recipe Yield

Feeds 8 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 4,960

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