Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means, it’s time to plan a feast. This Herb Roasted Turkey is an incredibly moist and juicy bird with beautifully crispy skin. And guess what? It’s simple and easy with 10-minutes or so of prep.
While I love almost all varieties of roasted turkey, (like Roast Turkey with Apple Cider and Thyme) this herb roasted turkey is a classic favorite with family and friends. A go-to turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays.
There’s a reason the holidays are the “most wonderful time of the year!” While it takes some work to make it that way, it’s so very worth the effort!
For me, holidays begin the day after Halloween (sometimes a little before). After that… it’s full on planning, baking, and a little dreaming too. Which very often involves hoping for snow. Holidays and snow belong together as much as cake and frosting. With sprinkles…
While this turkey is simple, it doesn’t taste simple or easy. It is incredibly moist, tender, and delicious. Sometimes, the simplest combination of savory herbs combined with time well-spent in the oven, and a few turns with a baster, produces the most beautiful, tender turkey ever.
To help elevate flavors in your Thanksgiving turkey, let’s talk about brining. A simple method that helps make the skin crispy and the meat tender and juicy.
The question often arises, “Should I brine my turkey this year?” The answer is 100% yes. While wet brining can get a little tricky and a whole lot messy, dry brining is the easiest method ever. And it produces a tender, juicy bird.
If you’re interested in brining the turkey before proceeding with this recipe, check out my guide on how to Dry Brine a Turkey. Which can be done even when a frozen turkey isn’t fully thawed.
Turkey can often end up dry and bland if not properly seasoned. Infusing flavorful herbs into the meat is an easy way to make your holiday turkey extra delicious. Over the years I’ve tried many different herb combinations and have narrowed down the best for getting optimal flavor.
In this article, I’ll share my top herb picks for turkey along with tips on how to use them for the juiciest, most flavorful bird possible.
Why Add Herbs to Turkey
Herbs are ideal for bringing out the flavor in mild, lean poultry like turkey Their fresh, aromatic qualities infuse right into the meat, especially when slipped under the skin This helps combat the drying effect of oven heat for a turkey that turns out incredibly moist and tender. Herbs also add tons of flavor without lots of sodium or fat.
Best Herbs for Turkey
Through testing I’ve found these herbs work best to maximize the flavor in roast turkey
Rosemary
Rosemary’s woody, pine-like flavor is perfect for poultry. It has an assertive taste that seasons the meat without overpowering it. Use fresh rosemary sprigs in the cavity and ground rosemary in herb butter.
Frequency of Usage – 3
Thyme
Thyme has an earthy, faintly lemon flavor that pairs beautifully with poultry. Its taste provides seasoning without dominating the natural turkey flavor. Use it fresh or dried.
Frequency of Usage – 3
Sage
This warm, slightly minty herb has a savory flavor that naturally complements turkey. Rubbed sage works great with poultry.
Frequency of Usage – 2
Parsley
Bright, fresh parsley offers a vibrant herbal note and pop of green color. Mix it into herb butter.
Frequency of Usage – 2
Marjoram
Subtly sweet with a hint of citrus, marjoram blends well with other herbs. Use dried marjoram in the herb mix.
Frequency of Usage – 1
Savory
Similar to marjoram with a light peppery quality. Dried savory boosts flavor in the herb blend.
Frequency of Usage – 1
I like using a blend of these herbs for a seasoning butter that gets slathered all over the turkey and under the skin. The butter helps the herbs adhere while keeping the meat incredibly moist.
Herb Butter for Turkey
Herb butter offers an easy way to infuse turkey with herb flavor. Follow this simple recipe:
- 1 stick softened butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried marjoram
- 1 tsp dried savory
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Pulse in a food processor until fully blended. You can also mix by hand. Spread this herb butter generously under the turkey skin and coat the outside. Focus on getting plenty under the breast skin.
Stuff Turkey Cavity with Herbs
For even more herb flavor, stuff some fresh herb sprigs, garlic, lemons, and onion in the main cavity before roasting. Good options include:
- Rosemary sprigs
- Sage sprigs
- Thyme sprigs
- Parsley sprigs
- Quartered lemons
- Quartered onions
- Garlic cloves
As the turkey roasts, these fresh herbs and aromatics will further boost the overall flavor.
Roast the Herb-Infused Turkey
Once your turkey is prepped with a flavorful herb infusion, roast it up for the juiciest, most delicious holiday centerpiece. Follow these tips:
- Preheat oven to 450F to start for quick browning.
- After 45 minutes, reduce heat to 350F.
- Roast approximately 15 minutes per pound until 165F in thigh.
- Tent with foil if browning too fast.
- Baste every 30 minutes using pan juices for moisture.
- Let rest 30 minutes before carving for easy slicing.
Herb-Roasted Turkey Recipes
Here are some fantastic herb-roasted turkey recipes to try using my herb infusion tips:
Easy Herb-Roasted Turkey
This back-to-basics turkey uses an herb butter coating [1]. It delivers a beautifully browned, flavorful bird.
Herb butter:
- 1⁄2 cup softened butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh sage
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Coat turkey completely with herb butter. Roast at 450F for 45 minutes, then 350F until 165F internal temperature. Let rest 30 minutes before slicing.
Herb-Roasted Turkey with Gravy
This turkey is dry brined for extra juicy meat, then coated in a garlic-herb butter [2]. Served with scratch-made gravy.
Herb butter:
- 1 stick softened butter
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1⁄2 tsp dried savory
- 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley
A salt and herb rub is also tucked under the skin for incredible flavor.
Complete Herb-Roasted Turkey Dinner
This Thanksgiving menu has a beautiful herb-roasted turkey plus classic sides like cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and cranberry sauce [3].
The savory turkey is coated with a mix of rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, salt, pepper, and butter. Fresh rosemary and thyme go in the cavity too.
How to Roast an Herb Turkey
Roasting turkey with herbs is simple by following these steps:
- Rinse turkey and pat dry.
- Make an herb butter with softened butter, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff cavity with herb sprigs, garlic, lemons, onions.
- Loosen skin and rub herb butter generously under skin and on outside.
- Tie legs together and tuck wings under.
- Roast at 450F for 45 minutes, then 350F, until 165F in thigh.
- Let rest 30 minutes before slicing.
Herbs Give Turkey Exceptional Flavor
As you can see, infusing turkey with plenty of fresh, aromatic herbs is key for exceptionally moist, flavorful holiday meat. Follow my tips on using herb butter, stuffing the cavity, and roasting. Try one of the tasty herb-roasted turkey recipes for your best Thanksgiving bird yet. With the right herbs, your turkey will be a mouthwatering centerpiece.
References
[1] https://thekitchentoday.com/what-herbs-to-put-in-turkey/
[2] https://bakedbree.com/herb-roasted-turkey
[3] https://www.thekitchenherbs.com/what-herbs-go-with-turkey/
Tips for Roasting a Turkey
- Begin roasting the turkey at 450 degrees F for the first 30 minutes, this helps crisp and brown the skin. You will reduce the oven temperature and continue to cook until done.
- Once the turkey reaches temperature, if you need to crisp the skin, increase oven temperature to 450 degrees again and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving so the juices can redistribute into the meat. Don’t let a turkey rest at room temperature for more than 2 hours or more than 1 hour if the room is 90° or more.
- Turkeys need about 15-18 minutes of cooking time per pound. Once the bird is cooked, thighs should register at 165°F (74°C) and the breasts should register at 160°F (71°C). As soon as the bird hits these temperatures, take it out and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.
How to Make Herb Roasted Turkey
Step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of how to make this turkey recipe.
1. Make an herb blend: Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.2. Prepare the turkey: Pat the bird dry with paper towels and remove any excess dry brine. With a basting brush, generously coat the turkey. Tie the legs with kitchen twine.3. Roast the turkey: Place the turkey in a roasting pan with a rack, add water to the bottom, and roast in a 450-degree preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and roast until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Let it rest for about 30 minutes before carving.
How To Put Herbs Under Turkey Skin
FAQ
What are the best herbs to use for turkey?
Herbs for turkey: For a classic and aromatic flavor, we recommend using a blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage, which we think are the best fresh herbs for turkey. These herbs infuse your bird with a fragrant, savory taste, perfect for the holidays. You can use fresh or dried herbs.
What can I put in the turkey for best flavor?
Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and sage are classic poultry herbs. And while you can use dried, I do think fresh imparts a more robust flavor.Oct 11, 2024
What herbs go well with turkey dinner?
Try adding marjoram to your turkey gravy or roasted potatoes for a delicious flavor. At City Floral Garden Center in Denver, we recommend buying small sage, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram plants to start your indoor herb garden.
What spices to put on turkey before cooking?
… sprinkle the entire bird with salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, granulated garlic powder, tarragon, parsley flakes, thyme, basil and paprika