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Easy No-Fail Thanksgiving Turkey

A simple, juicy, foolproof Thanksgiving turkey roasted with herbs, citrus, garlic, and butter for perfect flavor and crispy golden skin every time.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Turkey
  • 1 whole turkey 12–14 lbs, thawed
  • 0.5 cup butter softened
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1.5 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp poultry seasoning
Aromatics
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 1 lemon quartered
  • 1 orange quartered
  • 1 garlic bulb halved
  • 6-8 herb sprigs rosemary, sage, thyme
Roasting Pan Base
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 onion chopped

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Roasting rack
  • Mixing bowl
  • Turkey baster or spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. Remove giblets and pat turkey dry.
  3. Season inside cavity with salt and pepper and add aromatics.
  4. Mix butter, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Rub butter mixture under the skin and all over the turkey.
  6. Place chopped vegetables and broth in roasting pan and set rack on top.
  7. Roast turkey at 450°F for 20–25 minutes.
  8. Reduce oven to 350°F and roast until turkey reaches 165°F in the breast.
  9. Let the turkey rest 20–30 minutes before carving.

Notes

For extra browning, brush turkey with melted butter halfway through cooking.