Description
This Lemon Herb Turkey recipe delivers a succulent, juicy turkey infused with bright citrus flavors and fragrant thyme. Roasted to perfection in an oven roasting bag, the bird stays tender while achieving a crispy, flavorful skin. Perfect for holiday feasts or special family dinners, this turkey is seasoned with lemon zest, fresh thyme, garlic, and butter for a fresh, aromatic taste that elevates traditional roast turkey.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasonings
- 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Lemon Herb Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Stuffing for Cavity
- 1 medium lemon, halved
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 14 garlic cloves, peeled
- 24 fresh thyme sprigs
Roasting
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 turkey-size oven roasting bag
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Herb Butter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the melted butter, lemon juice, grated lemon zest, and minced thyme to create a flavorful lemon herb butter mixture.
- Season the Turkey: Use paper towels to pat the turkey dry, ensuring the skin will crisp nicely. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the turkey skin and inside the cavity to enhance seasoning. Then, brush the entire turkey generously with the prepared lemon herb butter mixture.
- Stuff the Turkey Cavity: Place the halved lemon, quartered onion, garlic cloves, and fresh thyme sprigs inside the turkey cavity. This aromatic stuffing will infuse the meat with bright, herbaceous flavors during roasting.
- Prepare the Turkey for Roasting: Tuck the turkey’s wings neatly under the bird to prevent burning and tie the drumsticks together to promote even cooking and maintain shape.
- Prepare the Roasting Bag: Sprinkle the tablespoon of all-purpose flour inside the roasting bag. Shake it thoroughly to coat the interior – this step helps prevent the bag from bursting and enhances browning.
- Roast the Turkey: Place the floured roasting bag inside a large roasting pan. Add the turkey breast side up into the bag. Cut six 1/2-inch slits on top of the bag to allow steam to escape. Seal the bag securely with the provided tie.
- Baking Time: Bake the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, or until the internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F.
- Rest and Carve: Remove the turkey from the oven and carefully transfer it to a serving platter. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist slices.
- Optional Gravy: If desired, use the pan drippings left in the roasting pan to thicken into a flavorful gravy to accompany the turkey.
Notes
- This recipe infuses the turkey with bright lemon and fresh thyme for a zesty, aromatic holiday centerpiece.
- Using a roasting bag keeps the turkey moist and tender while locking in the flavors.
- Make sure to pat the turkey dry before seasoning to achieve a beautifully crisp skin.
- Allow the turkey to rest after roasting; this step is key for juicy meat.
- Feel free to customize the herb mix with rosemary or sage for an alternate flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 489mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 64g
- Cholesterol: 230mg
