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Herb Roasted Turkey

This classic herb-roasted turkey is the ultimate centrepiece for a festive gathering or a traditional Sunday roast. By using a fragrant blend of fresh parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, the meat is infused with deep, savoury notes while the herb-infused butter ensures the skin remains crisp and golden. Roasting the bird atop a bed of aromatic root vegetables creates a rich foundation for the pan juices, resulting in a concentrated sauce that perfectly complements the succulent meat.

Ideal for feeding a large family, this dairy-free recipe focuses on simple, high-quality ingredients to deliver a reliable and impressive result. Slow-roasting and regular basting are the secrets to maintaining moisture, ensuring every slice is tender and full of flavour. Serve this impressive bird alongside seasonal greens, crispy roast potatoes and your favourite trimmings for a truly comforting homemade feast.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Herb Roasted Turkey

  • 1 (17-pound) turkey, rinsed well and patted dry

  • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1450ml chicken stock, homemade or store-bought

  • 3 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 3 large stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 large onions, quartered

How to make Herb Roasted Turkey

  1. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting.

  2. Combine the butter, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

  3. Preheat the oven to 232°C.

  4. Put 950ml the chicken stock in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.

  5. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper and fill the cavity with half of the carrots, celery, and onions. Rub the entire turkey with the herb butter and season liberally with salt and pepper.

  6. Scatter the remaining vegetables on the bottom of a large roasting pan. Fit a rack over the vegetables and put the turkey on top of the rack. Pour the remaining 475ml stock into the bottom of the roasting pan and carefully put the pan in the oven. Roast until the turkey is light golden brown, about 45 minutes.

  7. Reduce the oven temperature to 177°C and continue roasting, basting with the warm chicken stock every 15 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 71°C, about 2 1/2 hours longer.

  8. Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer to a large cutting board, and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving.

  9. Strain the stock in the bottom of the roasting pan through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels into a medium saucepan. Discard the solids. Boil the stock until reduced to a sauce consistency. Arrange the turkey on a large platter and drizzle with the reduced stock.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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