Description
This Lemon Herb Turkey recipe offers a flavorful and aromatic roasted turkey, infused with refreshing lemon juice, zest, and fresh thyme. Featuring a crispy golden skin and juicy tender meat, this dish is perfect for holiday feasts and special occasions. Cooked in a roasting bag to lock in moisture and enhance flavors, it ensures a beautifully cooked turkey with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Turkey and Seasonings
- 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 medium lemon, halved
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 14 garlic cloves, peeled
- 24 fresh thyme sprigs
Additional
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 turkey-size oven roasting bag
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Butter Mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced thyme until well combined.
- Prep the Turkey: Pat the turkey dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the turkey’s skin and inside the cavity for seasoning.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Brush the entire turkey, including under the wings and legs, with the prepared lemon-butter mixture to infuse flavor and help with browning.
- Stuff the Turkey: Place the halved lemon, quartered onion, peeled garlic cloves, and fresh thyme sprigs inside the turkey’s cavity to add aromatic flavor during roasting. Tuck the wings under the body and securely tie the drumsticks together with kitchen twine for even cooking.
- Prepare Roasting Bag: Put the tablespoon of flour into the turkey-size oven roasting bag. Shake vigorously to coat the inside of the bag evenly, which helps prevent sticking during cooking. Place the bag inside a large roasting pan.
- Insert Turkey into Bag: Place the prepared turkey breast side up into the floured roasting bag. Cut six 1/2-inch slits on the top of the bag to allow steam to escape and seal the bag with the provided tie or clip to contain moisture.
- Roast the Turkey: Place the roasting pan with the bagged turkey into the preheated oven. Bake for 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes or until the internal temperature measured by a meat thermometer reaches 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the turkey from the oven and take it out of the roasting bag, placing it on a serving platter. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional Gravy: Use the drippings collected in the roasting pan to make gravy by thickening them on the stovetop, if desired, for a complementary sauce to serve alongside the turkey.
Notes
- Elevate your holiday feast with this flavorful lemon herb turkey recipe. Infused with zesty citrus and fragrant thyme, this dish promises a crispy skin and tender meat that will make for a unique (and tasty!) roasted bird.
- Using a roasting bag helps keep the turkey moist and speeds up cooking by sealing in juices and flavors.
- Resting the turkey after roasting ensures juicy, tender meat when carved.
- Fresh herbs and citrus inside the cavity add subtle aromatic notes without overpowering the turkey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/16 of turkey)
- 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
