Description
A flavorful centerpiece roast turkey recipe that features herb butter under the skin for juicy, flavorful meat, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 free-range Turkey (about 5 kg, or 11 lbs)
- 2 Onions (peeled, halved)
- 8 rashers of Smoked Streaky Bacon (can substitute with turkey bacon)
- 1 Lemon (halved)
- 1 head of Garlic (halved horizontally)
- 6 Bay Leaves
- Olive Oil (to drizzle)
- Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 375 g Butter (13 oz)
- 3 cloves Garlic (peeled, crushed)
- 2 small Lemons (juice and grated zest)
- A small bunch Flat-Leaf Parsley Leaves (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F).
- In a large bowl, add the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then mix with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add the juice, zest of the two small lemons, chopped parsley, and crushed garlic into the butter mixture and mix well.
- Hollow out the turkey and season the cavity with salt and pepper, stuffing it with the halved onion, lemon, garlic, and 2 bay leaves.
- Gently loosen the turkey skin and stuff the herb butter mixture evenly under the skin, adding 4 remaining bay leaves.
- Place the turkey breast side up in a roasting tray, rub the remaining butter all over the skin, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
- Lower the oven temperature to 180°C (356°F) and roast the turkey for 2 ½ hours, basting every 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and let it rest for about 45 minutes before carving.
- Carve the turkey and serve.
Notes
For best results, allow the turkey to reach room temperature before cooking and let it rest after roasting to ensure juicy meat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: roast turkey, holiday recipe, Gordon Ramsay turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, herb butter turkey