recipe image

Herb & Citrus Butter Roasted Whole Turkey

Transform your holiday gathering into a flavor extravaganza with our Herb and Citrus Butter Roasted Whole Turkey – a succulent and aromatic delight!

Cook Time: 180 mins

Prep Time: 30 mins

Serves: 10

Share :

INGREDIENTS

3 small oranges, divided
2 small lemons, divided
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
2 teaspoons salt, divided
2 teaspoons black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (12- to 14-pound) Frozen Whole Turkey, thawed
6 medium shallots or small onions, peeled, halved, divided
2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary

PREPARATIONS

Position oven rack in bottom third of oven. Preheat oven to 325°F.
Remove 1 teaspoon orange peel and 1 teaspoon lemon peel from fruit. Cut peeled orange and peeled lemon into quarters; set aside.
Combine orange peel, lemon peel, butter, minced rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, onion powder and garlic powder in medium bowl.
Drain juices from turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey, breast side up, on flat rack in shallow roasting pan (2 to 2½ inches deep). Evenly spread ¼ cup butter mixture between skin and breast meat of turkey, being careful not to tear skin.
Season cavity of turkey with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Place peeled orange and lemon quarters, 2 shallots and rosemary sprigs into turkey cavity. - Tie legs together with kitchen string. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place. (Tucking wings will help stabilize turkey in pan and when carving). Rub ¼ cup butter mixture all over turkey. Cut remaining 2 oranges and 1 lemon into quarters. Place orange and lemon quarters and remaining 4 shallots around turkey. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer deep into lower part of thigh without touching bone.
Melt remaining ½ cup butter mixture and keep warm.
Bake turkey until meat thermometer in thigh registers 180°F and an instant-read thermometer inserted into breast and stuffing registers 170°F (3 to 3 ½ hours brushing turkey with melted butter mixture once every hour for the first 2 hours and covering loosely with foil after 2 hours to prevent excess browning). Lift turkey onto platter and let stand 15 minutes before carving.
Pro Tip: Cooked leftover turkey is good for 3 to 4 days. To save for even longer, pop it in the freezer to save for up to 6 months!

Recipe Products

Category product

Cape Herb & Spice Mini Twin Set Salt & Pepper

South Africa

$ 5.80 per pack

–+

Category product

Cape Herb & Spice Extra Bold Peppercorn (Grinder)

South Africa

$ 5.50 per pack

–+

<

>