Herb-Roasted Turkey
 
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 (14-pound) fresh or thawed frozen turkey, neck and giblets reserved
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 lemons, halved
  • Garnish: fresh sage, rosemary, thyme, lemon wedges
  • Giblet Gravy (recipe follows)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large roasting pan with foil. Place roasting rack in pan, and spray with cooking spray.
  2. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, stir together butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, zest, salt, and pepper. Gently loosen skin from turkey, keeping skin intact. Rub butter mixture under skin and all over turkey. Place lemons inside turkey cavity. Tuck wings under, and tie legs together with butcher’s twine. Place turkey on prepared rack in pan.
  3. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Cover with foil, and bake until a meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 165°, about 3 hours. Remove from oven, and let stand for 30 minutes before carving. Reserve ¾ cup pan drippings for Giblet Gravy. Garnish turkey with herbs and lemon, if desired. Serve with Giblet Gravy.
Recipe by Paula Deen Magazine at https://pauladeenmagazine.com/herb-roasted-turkey-recipe/