This baked turkey is coated in a savory garlic and herb butter, then baked to golden brown perfection. The perfect quick and easy option for a holiday meal or even everyday dinner!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we have one of the easiest and most delicious baked turkey recipes to share with you today. Garlic and herb baked turkey that’s moist and delicious.
Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to visit my first turkey farm while working with Honeysuckle White. It was such an amazing experience because I had a first-hand view of where my Thanksgiving bird would potentially come from. The farmer that we met and had the chance to talk to raises hundreds of turkeys and many of them are traceable turkeys.
Knowing where your food comes from
Shady Brook Farms and Honeysuckle White are committed to food transparency and both brands work with family farm-raised turkeys. They work hard to help people understand where their food comes from. This is such a priority that last year they launched a pilot program where they provided traceable turkeys. What does this mean for consumers? You will be able to use a code located on the tag of your turkey to trace back to the exact farm that raised that bird.
The program, which currently specifically includes Honeysuckle White fresh turkeys, will include more than 200,000 traceable birds.
Garlic Herb and Butter Baked Turkey
Ingredients
- 10-13 Pound Whole Honeysuckle Turkey
- 2 Sticks butter softened
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon sage leaves finely minced fresh or dry
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rosemary leaves finely minced Fresh or dry
- 2 tablespoons parsley finely minced fresh or dry
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- rosemary sprigs for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place the butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, parsley and salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Spread half of the butter underneath the skin of the turkey, and the other half of the butter on top of the turkey breast.
- Place the turkey in the baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until skin has just started to brown.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake for approximately 3 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices.
- Check the temperature of the turkey by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The turkey can come out of the oven when the thermometer registers at least 160 degrees.
- Cover the turkey with foil and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until thermometer registers at least 165 degrees F.
- Garnish with rosemary, sage, oranges, cranberries and serve.
HOW MUCH TURKEY PER PERSON?
The general rule of thumb is to cook one pound of turkey per person. If you want plenty of turkey for leftovers, aim for 1 1/2 – 2 pounds per person.
BAKED TURKEY SIDE DISHES
I like to serve my baked turkey with classic holiday side dishes. Some of my favorites include
Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole
