Grandma G's Baked Thanksgiving Turkey

Bring tradition and flavor to your holiday table with Grandma G's Baked Thanksgiving Turkey—a show-stopping centerpiece that blends simplicity with aromatic perfection. This classic recipe enhances a tender 12-pound turkey with a luscious herb butter infused with fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, and zesty lemon. The turkey is roasted atop a bed of caramelized onions, carrots, and celery, basted with savory pan drippings, and crisped to golden perfection for the ultimate holiday feast. With tips like incorporating aromatics inside the bird for extra depth and ensuring juicy, moist meat with a broth-infused roasting pan, this recipe is beginner-friendly yet elegant enough to impress any guest. Serve this mouthwatering turkey as the star attraction of your Thanksgiving gathering—it’s a time-honored recipe destined to create cherished memories.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:285 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 12 pounds whole turkey
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 whole lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 2 medium onions, halved
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 stalks celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 2

Remove the turkey from its packaging, remove the giblets, and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 4

Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast by sliding your fingers under the skin, being careful not to tear it. Rub half of the herb butter mixture under the skin and the other half all over the outside of the turkey.

Step 5

Stuff the cavity of the turkey with one halved onion, one chopped carrot, one chopped celery stalk, and any remaining lemon halves.

Step 6

Arrange the remaining onion, carrots, and celery in a large roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.

Step 7

Place the turkey on top of the vegetables, breast side up. Tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.

Step 8

Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist during cooking.

Step 9

Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven. Calculate total cooking time at about 15 minutes per pound, or approximately 3 to 4 hours for a 12-pound turkey.

Step 10

Every 45 minutes, remove the foil and baste the turkey with the pan drippings for even browning and added moisture.

Step 11

For the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the foil entirely to allow the skin to crisp and turn golden brown.

Step 12

Use a meat thermometer to check the turkey's internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.

Step 13

Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest, tented with foil, for 20 to 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.

Step 14

Carve, serve, and enjoy Grandma G's incredible baked Thanksgiving turkey with your loved ones!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(6797.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9563.8

Total Fat 411.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 180.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 4326.8mg	0%
Sodium 18783.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 1321.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 904.5mg	0%
Iron 65.8mg	0%
Potassium 14812.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.2%

Protein: 57.4%

Carbs: 2.4%