This turkey is extra juicy and gorgeously browned, thanks to a generous bath of melted butter. Seasoning the butter with shallots, garlic and fresh thyme and rosemary produces flavorful herbaceous meat. Basting the bird throughout roasting creates a perfectly crisp exterior.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 3 hr 30 min |
| Active: | 40 min |
| Yield: | 10 to 12 servings |
Ingredients
- One 12- to 14-pound turkey
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 medium carrots, cut into thirds
- 2 stalks celery, cut into thirds
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 2 large shallots, 1 quartered and 1 minced
- 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
Instructions
- Position an oven rack in the lowest position with room above to fit the turkey; preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Remove any turkey parts from the cavity and reserve for another use if desired. Dry the turkey well with paper towels inside and out. Sprinkle the cavity with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stuff with the carrots, celery, lemon and quartered shallot.
- Combine the butter, rosemary, thyme, paprika, garlic, minced shallot, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and stir to make a smooth, spreadable mixture. Work your fingers between the skin and meat on the breast and top of the turkey legs to loosen, then rub half of the butter mixture under the skin. Rub the remaining butter mixture on the outside of the turkey.
- Place a roasting rack in a roasting pan, making sure it is level. Transfer the turkey to the rack, tuck the wings back under the body and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Pour the broth into the pan.
- Roast the turkey for 30 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Baste the turkey with the pan drippings. Continue to roast, basting with the drippings every 30 minutes, until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh measures 165 degrees F, about 2 hours more. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 808 |
| Total Fat | 51 g |
| Saturated Fat | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Protein | 77 g |
| Cholesterol | 333 mg |
| Sodium | 1394 mg |
Reviews
I served this turkey today. It was the best tasting turkey I have ever made and the gravy was amazing.
This turned out great! Next time, I may reduce the butter by at least one stick, though.