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A perfectly cooked roast turkey, golden brown and ready for carving

Best way to grow a Perfect Roast Turkey in 4 Hours

Achieve a perfectly roasted turkey in just 4 hours with this straightforward recipe. This method ensures a juicy, flavorful bird that will be the centerpiece of any holiday meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 (12-14 lb) whole turkey
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • roasting pan
  • meat thermometer
  • small bowl
  • aluminum foil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and remove giblets and neck from the turkey.
  2. In a small bowl, combine softened butter with sage, rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Loosen the turkey skin over the breast and thighs, then rub half of the herb butter mixture evenly under the skin; spread the remaining butter over the exterior of the turkey.
Roasting
  1. Place lemon halves, onion, carrots, and celery inside the turkey cavity.
  2. Place the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, pour broth into the bottom of the pan, and roast for 30 minutes.
  3. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting for 3.5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
  4. If the turkey browns too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
Resting and Serving
  1. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven, cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
  2. Carve and serve your perfect roast turkey.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider brining the turkey overnight. Basting the turkey every hour during roasting can help keep it moist, but it is not strictly necessary with this butter rub method.