Herbes de Provence is the perfect herb blend for Thanksgiving turkey.
Herbes de Provence Roast Turkey
Author: Kristin
Recipe type: Thanksgiving
Cuisine: American
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
- 1 fresh turkey, about 12 to 16 pounds
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 2 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch lengths
- 3 or 4 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs
- 2 to 3 tablespoons herbes de Provence
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 4 to 6 tablespoons (1/2 to ¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Do not leave the turkey at room temperature longer than 1 hour.
- Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 425°F.
- Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey and reserve for making gravy, if desired. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the onion, celery, parsley and 1 tablespoon of the herbes de Provence in the body cavity, and season with salt and pepper. Truss the turkey with kitchen twine. Brush the turkey with some of the melted butter. Sprinkle with the remaining herbes de Provence and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the turkey, breast side down, on a buttered roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Roast for 30 minutes, basting with some of the remaining butter after 15 minutes. Using 2 pairs of tongs or heat-resistant kitchen gloves or mitts, turn the turkey breast side up and reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Continue roasting, basting with the remaining butter and pan juices every 15 to 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone, registers 165°F, and into the thigh, 175°F. Total roasting time should be 3 to 3¾ hours.
- Transfer the turkey to a warmed platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for about 20 minutes before carving.