🦃 Easy Best Roast Turkey – Juicy, Flavorful, and Perfectly Golden

Best Roast Turkey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from holiday hosts and turkey lovers alike)
🍂 Golden & Crispy | 🌿 Herb-Infused | 🍽️ Family-Approved

A perfectly roasted turkey is the crown jewel of any holiday table, and this Best Roast Turkey recipe guarantees juicy, flavorful meat with a crisp, golden skin every time. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a special family dinner, this recipe makes the process easy enough for weeknight cooking but special enough for festive occasions.

No dry turkey, no guessing, just a foolproof method for show-stopping results.

Why You’ll Love This Best Roast Turkey Recipe

⏱️ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 2.5–4 hours (depending on weight)
🍽️ Serves: 8–12
💰 Budget-Friendly
✨ Flavor: Juicy, herbaceous, and perfectly seasoned
💡 Perfect For: Holidays, special dinners, and family gatherings

Ingredients – Simple Yet Flavor-Packed

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ¼ cup olive oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp paprika (optional, for golden color)
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

Optional: fresh herbs for garnish

How to Make the Best Roast Turkey

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Season the Turkey

Rub olive oil or melted butter all over the turkey. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chopped herbs, then rub evenly over the skin and inside the cavity. Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, and garlic.

Step 3: Roast the Turkey

Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour 2 cups of broth into the pan. Cover loosely with foil and roast, basting occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh (approx. 2.5–4 hours depending on weight).

Step 4: Crisp the Skin

Remove foil during the last 45 minutes of roasting to allow the skin to become golden and crisp. Let the turkey rest 20–30 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.

How to Serve the Best Roast Turkey

🍽️ Sliced with gravy and cranberry sauce
🥔 Alongside mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted vegetables
🌿 Garnished with fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon slices for a festive presentation

What Everyone’s Saying

“Juicy, flavorful, and the skin was perfectly crisp. My family was impressed!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Hannah W.

“I finally nailed a turkey that wasn’t dry. Followed this recipe exactly.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Mark T.

“Herb-infused and aromatic—made the whole house smell amazing.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Sophie R.

Best Roast Turkey – Juicy, Flavorful & Perfectly Golden

This Best Roast Turkey recipe delivers a golden, crispy-skinned bird with tender, juicy meat inside — perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion. Brined for extra flavor and roasted with aromatics, herbs, and butter, this turkey is full of savory goodness that will impress family and friends.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, holiday

Calories: 360

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Turkey:
• 1 12–14 lb whole turkey, thawed
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika optional
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary optional
• 1 onion quartered
• 1 lemon halved
• 4 garlic cloves smashed
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey stock
• Optional Brine for juicier turkey:
• 1 gallon water
• ½ cup kosher salt
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 2 –3 bay leaves
• Fresh herbs thyme, rosemary, parsley

Equipment

• Roasting pan with rack
• Meat thermometer
• Kitchen twine
• Basting brush or spoon

Method

 

1. Brine the Turkey (Optional but Recommended) – Combine brine ingredients in a large pot. Submerge turkey and refrigerate 12–24 hours. Remove, rinse, and pat dry.
2. Preheat Oven – Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
3. Season and Stuff – Rub softened butter under the skin and over the outside of the turkey. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs. Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, and garlic.
4. Truss the Turkey – Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the bird.
5. Roast the Turkey – Place turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan with a rack. Pour 1–2 cups of stock into the pan. Tent loosely with foil. Roast 2.5–3 hours for a 12 lb turkey (15 minutes per pound), basting occasionally with pan juices. Remove foil for the last 45 minutes to brown the skin.
6. Check Temperature – The turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 20–30 minutes before carving.
7. Serve – Carve and serve with pan juices or gravy.

Notes

Resting is Key: Resting allows the juices to redistribute, keeping meat moist.

Crispier Skin: Pat the turkey dry and leave uncovered in the fridge for a few hours before roasting.

Flavor Boost: Add fresh herbs, garlic, and citrus to the cavity.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the brine and rub a day before for maximum flavor.

FAQ – Best Roast Turkey

💡 Note

For extra flavor, place butter under the skin of the breast before roasting. It keeps the meat tender and adds richness to every bite.

Serve this Best Roast Turkey alongside Cristal Recipes’ Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole for a traditional, comforting Thanksgiving feast. The rich, savory turkey and sweet, buttery potatoes make a combination everyone will love.