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an herb butter roasted turkey on a white platter in a wide horizontal shot, golden glistening skin flecked with fresh rosemary and thyme, lemon halves and pine sprigs around the platter, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

Classic roast turkey with a garlic-herb butter rub.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey 12 lb
  • 0.75 cup butter softened
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped rosemary
  • 2 tbsp chopped thyme
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Mash the butter with the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  2. Loosen the skin over the breast and rub the herb butter directly onto the meat.
  3. Spread any remaining butter over the outside of the skin.
  4. Roast at 325F, basting occasionally, until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh, about three hours.
  5. Tent with foil and rest 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Work gently when loosening the skin so it stays intact and crisps up beautifully.