Zesty Herb-Infused Roast Turkey Recipe for Holiday Magic

Golden, juicy turkey with herb-infused flavors promises to become the star of your holiday table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic centerpiece dish that sings with aromatic herbs and rich, deep seasonings.

Every slice delivers tender, succulent meat that melts in your mouth with delicate herbal notes.

The secret lies in carefully selecting fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage to create an irresistible blend of traditional and contemporary flavors.

Marinating the turkey overnight allows the herbs to penetrate deeply, ensuring maximum taste in every bite.

Simple techniques transform an ordinary bird into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve this crowd-pleasing roast and watch as your guests savor each memorable, herb-packed moment.

Cooking a Savory Herb-Infused Roast Turkey

• Turkey Prep

Select a fresh or frozen turkey. Allow ample time for defrosting in refrigerator. Ensure turkey is clean and free from packaging.

• Flavor Foundation

Create a robust brine using vegetable broth, aromatic spices, and herbs. Allow liquid mixture to cool completely before introducing turkey.

• Brining Adventure

Submerge turkey in seasoned liquid inside a large container. Refrigerate overnight to enhance moisture and flavor depth. Maintain consistent cool temperature.

• Oven Transformation

Position lowest oven rack. Preheat to high temperature. Remove turkey from brine, pat completely dry. Massage exterior with olive oil for golden, crispy skin.

• Aromatic Stuffing

Fill turkey cavity with fresh herb bundles and citrus fruits. These ingredients will infuse incredible flavor during roasting process.

• Roasting Performance

Start with high heat to create crispy exterior. Reduce temperature midway through cooking. Use meat thermometer to check internal temperature for perfect doneness.

• Resting Finale

Allow turkey to rest after removing from oven. This crucial step helps redistribute juices, ensuring tender and succulent meat when carved.

Flavor Tips for Juicy Herb-Infused Roast

• Brine Magic: Experiment with different herbs and spices like thyme, bay leaves, or juniper berries to create unique flavor profiles that will make your turkey stand out at any gathering.
• Flavor Boosting Technique: Gently separate the skin from the turkey meat before roasting and rub herb-infused butter underneath to ensure maximum flavor penetration and incredibly moist meat.
• Make-Ahead Miracle: Prepare the brine up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator to save time on the day of cooking and allow flavors to develop more deeply.
• Leftover Love: Transform remaining turkey meat into delicious sandwiches, pot pies, or hearty soups by storing it properly in airtight containers for up to four days or freezing for future meals.
• Vegetarian-Friendly Option: For non-meat eaters, use the same herb and brining technique with large portobello mushrooms or a whole roasted cauliflower as a festive alternative centerpiece.

Plating and Serving Roast Turkey with Style

• Festive Family Centerpiece: Arrange the golden-brown turkey on a large wooden cutting board surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs, whole roasted lemons, and colorful autumn gourds to create a stunning holiday table focal point.
• Flavor-Packed Carving Platter: Slice the turkey on a rustic platter lined with crisp sage leaves and drizzle the carved meat with pan juices for extra moisture and herbal richness.
• Herb-Infused Side Pairing: Serve alongside roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes that complement the turkey's herb-infused flavor profile, creating a harmonious and comforting meal experience.
• Leftover Transformation: Transform remaining turkey into hearty sandwiches with cranberry spread, toss into winter salads, or create a creamy herb-packed turkey pot pie for delicious next-day meals.

Storing Roast Turkey While Keeping It Moist

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Reserve: Store cooked turkey meat in airtight containers, keeping slices or chunks in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Slice or shred leftover turkey and place in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label bags with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated turkey slices in microwave with a small splash of broth to prevent dryness. For oven reheating, cover with foil and warm at 350°F until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Leftover Transformation: Use cold turkey in sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles within 3-4 days of initial cooking. Chop into bite-sized pieces for quick meal additions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Savory Herb-Infused Roast Turkey

• Whole Turkey: Select a fresh, plump bird with smooth, unblemished skin for optimal roasting results.
• Vegetable Broth: Provides deep, savory undertones and helps create a moisture-rich brine.

• Salt: Fundamental for flavor absorption and meat tenderization.
• Sugar: Balances saltiness and promotes beautiful golden-brown skin.
• Peppercorns: Add warm, spicy complexity to the brine.
• Allspice Berries: Contribute subtle, warming notes with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Crystallized Ginger: Introduces a bright, zingy undertone with gentle heat.

• Onion: Releases sweet, caramelized flavors during roasting.
• Lemon: Infuses bright, citrusy essence into the turkey's interior.
• Apple: Provides subtle sweetness and helps maintain internal moisture.
• Celery: Adds delicate herbaceous background notes.
• Rosemary: Offers piney, woodsy aromatics.
• Sage: Delivers classic, earthy thanksgiving flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Ensures crispy, golden skin and helps seasonings adhere.

Tools That Make Herb-Infused Turkey Roasting Easy

• Stock pot: Large pot for preparing and heating brine.
• Brining bag or five-gallon bucket: Container for soaking turkey in brine.
• Roasting pan with rack: Essential for roasting turkey evenly.
• Paper towels: For patting turkey dry before roasting.
• Meat thermometer: Critical for checking turkey's internal temperature.
• Sharp carving knife: Needed for slicing turkey after resting.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover turkey during roasting and resting.
• Cutting board: Surface for preparing ingredients and carving turkey.
• Measuring cups: For accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.

Juicy Herb-Infused Roast Turkey Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Succulent herb-infused roast turkey delights palates with its aromatic blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage. Crisp golden skin and juicy meat promise a memorable holiday centerpiece that will impress guests and satisfy hunger.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (14-16 lbs or 6.35–7.26 kg) Mary’s Free Range or Organic Turkey
• 4 (32 oz or 946 ml) organic vegetable broth containers
• 1 cup Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Real Salt
• ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Coconut Sugar
• 1 tbsp Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Black Peppercorns
• 1 ½ tsp Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Whole Allspice
• 2 tbsps Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Crystalized Ginger, roughly chopped
• Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 medium organic onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 medium organic lemon, quartered
• 1 small organic apple, roughly chopped
• 1 stalk organic celery, roughly chopped
• 4 medium sprigs organic rosemary
• 2–3 sprigs organic sage

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Instructions

1. Thawing Preparation: Gradually defrost turkey in refrigerator over two to three days, maintaining consistent cool temperature.
2. Brine Infusion: Craft a flavor-rich liquid by simmering vegetable broth with salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice, and crystallized ginger until sugar dissolves completely, then cool and refrigerate.
3. Brining Process: Merge cooled spice-infused broth with additional vegetable broth and water, fully submerging turkey breast-side down in a food-safe container for 8-16 hours to enhance moisture and depth of flavor.
4. Oven Preparation: Position oven rack at lowest level and preheat to 500°F for initial high-heat roasting.
5. Turkey Preparation: Rinse turkey thoroughly, pat dry meticulously, and massage entire surface with olive oil for optimal browning and moisture retention.
6. Aromatic Stuffing: Fill turkey cavity with fresh onion, lemon, apple, celery, rosemary, and sage, creating a fragrant internal flavor profile.
7. Initial Roasting: Place turkey on roasting rack with wing tips tucked, roast at 500°F for 30 minutes to develop a crisp, golden exterior.
8. Slow Cooking: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, loosely tent with aluminum foil, and continue roasting for 2-2.5 hours until internal temperature reaches 161°F.
9. Resting Stage: Remove from oven, cover with foil, and allow 20-30 minutes resting time to redistribute internal juices before carving.

Notes

• Thaw Strategically: Always defrost turkey slowly in refrigerator or temperature-controlled cooler to prevent bacterial growth and maintain meat quality.
• Brine Brilliance: Submerge turkey for 8-16 hours to guarantee maximum moisture, flavor penetration, and tender meat texture.
• Temperature Control: Use precise oven temperature shifts—start at 500°F for crispy skin, then reduce to 350°F for even, thorough cooking.
• Rest and Redistribute: Allow turkey to rest 20-30 minutes after cooking to ensure juices redistribute, creating succulent, perfectly moistened meat.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 2500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg