This is seriously the best roasted turkey recipe ever! No Brine, No injections needed! This juicy whole roast turkey is amazing
Everyone wants the best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe ever, but no one wants to brine, inject, and all of that other crazy stuff. Trust me, I feel you! I’m one of those people! I refuse to waste my time on one dish, when I could be making several things! That’s why when it comes to making my thanksgiving turkey, my recipe is simple.
I don’t use a brine, nor do any funny injections. I simply whip up some turkey butter, stuff the turkey’s cavity with a bunch of goodies. Since my Thanksgiving turkey recipe is so easy, I don’t have to fuss over it. I can tend to other dishes such as creamy candied yams, baked mac & cheese, and down home cornbread dressing (Oh yes darlin’, you know how I do!)
***Remember for every 1 pound, cook the turkey for 15 minutes. For an example you have a 8 lb turkey, that will be 2 hours. Also remember to cook the turkey with the breast up!***
Also try these recipes
Watch the tutorial
Thanksgiving Turkey
Ingredients
- 13 lb Whole Turkey everything removed from cavity
- 8 tbsp salted butter softened (not margarine)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground sage
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 4 large stalks of celery roughly chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled & chopped
- 1 bunch of Italian parsley
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 large oranges sliced
- 2 large granny smith apple sliced
- 1 large lemon sliced
- 5-6 sprigs of thyme
Instructions
- First things first. Make sure that you thoroughly wash all of the fruit, veggies, and herbs prior to anything else. Then set to the side.
- Preheat the oven on 350 F.
- Clean the turkey. Make sure that the cavity is emptied, and all of the excess skin if trimmed.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, toss in the softened butter.
- Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything until it is nice and cream.
- Loosing up the turkey skin by using a spatula.
- Make sure that the skin is loose enough to place your hands underneath.
- Divid the butter mixture in half.
- Rub half of the butter mixture under the turkey skin, and in the cavity.
- Stuff as much of the mixed veggies, herbs, and fruit into the turkey cavity.
- Toss the remaining apples, celery, and etc in the bottom of your roaster pan.
- Once the turkey is stuffed, tie the legs with butcher string.
- Paint the turkey with the remain butter.
- Make sure that you get all surfaces, sides, and the bottom.
- Next place the turkey on a rack, and place it into the roaster. If you don't have a rack you can put the turkey in the center of the fruits, veggies, and herbs.
- Put turkey in the oven, on the lower rack, uncovered for 1 hour.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and baste.
- Cover the turkey with foil, and cook for another 2 hours and 15 minutes. Remove and baste every hour.
- Once the turkey is done, remove it from the oven, baste, cover, and let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
- Enjoy!
Video
Try these recipes as well!
Oven Baked Corn on the Cob
Green Bean Casserole
Southern Broccoli Casserole
Corn Pudding Casserole
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Hi Rosie, I watched your video yesterday and followed the directions but I used a roasting chicken to practice on before Thanksgiving. I have used a seasoned butter before but never tried stuffing the bird with fruits and veggies. Thanks for the great recipe. The flavors from the herbs and fruit gave my chicken great flavor. Love your recipes. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a run!
I am going to use your recipe because it looks absolutely delicious … however I am using a 22lb turkey can you advise me on the amount of the Ingredients for this sized turkey.
I think you can get away with doubling the ingredients. XOXO
Rosie, thank you so much for all that you do!! You just made my holiday recipes so much easier.
Thanks again
I also did a dry run of this with a chicken. My 19 yo told me it was “amazing”. That’s 10 stars! Thanks for the recipe. Will definitely be using this for Thanksgiving turkey.
THanks for giving it a try!
Hi Rosie! I have a quick question. Are you using a toaster oven like the one you plug into the wall or a roaster pan inside of the actual oven? Thank you in advance. PS I love your recipes! All of them
Hi Nene! I used a actual oven.
Gurllllll your recipes are EVERYTHANG!!!!!! I’m so glad I found your blog. I cannot wait to start cooking for Thanksgiving. The green beans in the oven………..Yep definitely trying that!!!!!! I will let you know how everything turns out!!!!! Girl you are the truth!!!!! And yes I will be making the deep fried Cornish hens. I’m just hungry. Lol
Hi Veronica! Glad that you found my blog. Enjoy the green beans! XOXO
Hello Rosie, thanks for allowing my family to enjoy dinner time. You have truly made cooking FUN and delicious. I have a quick question… what are the ingredients and measurements for your turkey butter? I cant find it on your blog.
Hi Dana. Unfortunately that recipe isn’t available at this time.
Hi Rosie,
I’m using an electric roasting oven and won’t be able to take the top off while it’s cooking. Any suggestions ?
Unfortunately, I do not have a suggestion.
Hello Rosie,
I’m going to use this recipe on a hen for Christmas. But can I cook my hen in a slow cooker with this recipe versus the oven?
Hi Freda, you can try that.
Can you use the drippings to make gravy?
Absolutely 🙂
This is going to be the third Thanksgiving with the recipe of your Turkey, collard greens and candied yams. I just want to Thank you so much for sharing it! Happy Thanksgiving <3
Hi Nadi!! Thank YOU for using my recipes! Happy Holidays!
Love Turkey breast. It’s just myself and daughter now. I would like to cook just a turkey breast. How can I adapt this recipe since I don’t want to cook a whole bird?
You make a bed with the herbs, veggies, and etc, then place the breast on top. Cooking time depends on the size on breast 🙂
Rosie your turkey recipe worked great!! I know you know the way to man’s heart. Say you single. Please, please!!
Hi there. I’m using your recipe this Thanksgiving but have a 15-18 lb. Turkey. How should I adjust the cook time?
Absolutely! You will need to cook it longer.
Hi there. I’m using your recipe this Thanksgiving but have a 15-18 lb. Turkey. Obviously, I’ll use more ingredients but how should I adjust the cooking time?
Add an additional 15 minutes for every pound.
Hi Rosie, I’m a foreigner I however have never made Thanksgiving food before but I’m going to do it this year all because of your recipes. I have 1 question though, will the fruits leave the Turkey with a citrusy flavor?
Thank you
Hi there. Yes, there is a citrus taste.
Hi Rosie, I purchased your book and I love it! So proud of you!!
Thank you!
Rosie,
This will be my first time making a turkey 🙁 Is it safe to prep with all the seasonings
and refrigerate overnight before baking?
Natalia
Absolutely ❤️
I will use your recioe for doing my turkey in the oven
. Thanks for making this easy and the video helps. Normally my mom and sister cooks the Thanksgiving. Since my mom and sister isn’t here I will be doing the cooking.
Can i use this recipe for a frozen fully cooked turkey?
Hi Lesa! If the turkey is already cooked, it won’t absorb all the flavors. I would stick with a fresh turkey.
1st time watching and love the recipe and video. I use some the same ingredients, and yes, I am going to try this recipe. Looks so good.