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Delicious Thanksgiving turkey

Category: Sweet Treats

This main dish stars a whole turkey covered in a buttery herb mix and stuffed with a mix of stuffing, garlic, onions, celery, and carrots. It’s roasted at a steady heat to get crisp skin and tender meat. Letting it sit after cooking helps the juices spread evenly for the juiciest results. Perfect for a holiday feast, it blends fresh herbs with fragrant veggies to keep things tasty and comforting.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:15:38 GMT
Close-up of a roasted turkey topped with fresh herbs. Save
Close-up of a roasted turkey topped with fresh herbs. | chefsnaps.com

This Thanksgiving bird turns out amazing with a simple herb butter spread that makes every mouthful taste rich and savory. Stuffing the cavity with classic filling turns it into a single-pan miracle that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering smells and shines as a holiday table favorite.

I whipped up this turkey for a big family feast, and it got instant praise for being super juicy and tasty. Since then it's been our go-to Thanksgiving hit year after year.

What You'll Need

  • Whole turkey: 12 to 14 pounds, the main feature—pick fresh or fully thawed so it cooks evenly
  • Butter: softened for easy spreading and rich flavor throughout the skin and meat
  • Salt and pepper: for deep seasoning that brings out the turkey’s natural flavor
  • Garlic: finely chopped, to add a tasty, fragrant kick
  • Onion: diced, giving a natural sweetness that pairs well with the turkey
  • Carrots and celery: chopped, these veggies add gentle sweetness and flavor to the stuffing and pan juices
  • Classic stuffing mix: the favorite blend that soaks up herbs and turkey juices inside the cavity
  • Chicken broth: to moisten the stuffing and create tasty pan drippings

Step-By-Step Cooking

Close-up of a roasted turkey with herbs on top.
Close-up of a roasted turkey with herbs on top. | chefsnaps.com

This has been the heart of our family dinners, full of laughter and stories for years. The smell brings back memories of waiting eagerly for the first slice. It’s a reminder of how food brings people close and creates moments to remember.

Best Ways to Store Leftovers

Switch It Up

What Goes Well

Seasonal Twists

Close-up of roasted turkey seasoned with herbs and spices.
Close-up of roasted turkey seasoned with herbs and spices. | chefsnaps.com

Take your time roasting this turkey with care and you’ll serve a meal everyone remembers long after it’s gone.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ How do I keep the turkey juicy?

Spread soft butter under and on top of the skin before adding spices to seal in juices. Don’t overcook it—take it out when it hits 165°F inside.

→ What veggies go inside the turkey?

They use diced carrots, celery, onions, and garlic mixed into the stuffing to add flavor and moisture from within.

→ Why rest the turkey before carving?

Let it chill for about half an hour so the juices spread around, making the meat tender and flavorful.

→ What’s the best oven temp to cook the turkey?

Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) so it cooks evenly and gets golden, crunchy skin.

→ Can I get the turkey ready ahead of time?

For sure, just fully thaw it first, then season it early so the flavors soak in.

Turkey with herb stuffing

A juicy turkey slathered in herb butter and stuffed with veggies and seasoned bread for a cozy holiday meal.

Preparation Duration
30 minutes
Time to Cook
150 minutes
Overall Time
180 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Sweet Treats

Cooking Skill Level: For Moderate Skills

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 10 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Poultry

01 One whole turkey weighing between 5.4 and 6.4 kg

→ Vegetables

02 Two carrots chopped up
03 Chopped large onion
04 Two celery stalks, chopped

→ Butter and Seasoning

05 227 grams softened butter
06 Four minced garlic cloves
07 15 grams black pepper
08 30 grams salt

→ Stuffing and Broth

09 Chicken broth, 946 ml
10 Box of stuffing mix

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Let the turkey sit out for half an hour uncovered so the juices settle before cutting it up.

Step 02

Stick a meat thermometer in the thickest thigh part and make sure it hits 75°C or 165°F.

Step 03

Cook the bird for 2.5 to 3 hours. Take off the foil for the last hour to get that skin nice and brown.

Step 04

Put the stuffed turkey in a roasting pan and cover loosely with foil.

Step 05

Heat your oven to 175°C or 350°F before getting started.

Step 06

Rub softened butter all over the turkey, then add salt and black pepper all over too.

Step 07

Mix the stuffing with chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, then pack it inside the turkey evenly.

Step 08

Take out the giblets and dry the turkey with paper towels.

Helpful Tips

  1. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed so it cooks evenly.
  2. A good meat thermometer is key to getting the temperature right.
  3. Letting the turkey rest keeps it juicy and tender.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Aluminum foil
  • Roasting pan
  • Meat thermometer

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy from butter and gluten from stuffing mix.

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fat Content: 25 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 20 grams
  • Protein Content: 50 grams