Easy Herb-Roasted Turkey

4.7
(664)

Sometimes the best seasoning for turkey is a simple mixture of savory herbs and spices. This easy recipe for herb-roasted turkey requires very little prep time so you can work on the other parts of your holiday meal while your bird is roasting in the oven to tender, juicy perfection.

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a close up, low angle view of sliced herb roasted turkey on a serving platter with fresh herbs
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
16

Looking for the best seasoning for turkey? You've come to the right place. This herb-roasted turkey features an absolutely irresistible blend of garlic, basil, and sage. You'll come back to this recipe year after year.

Herb-Roasted Turkey Ingredients

· Turkey: This recipe calls for a 12-pound turkey with the neck and giblets removed. If your turkey is larger or smaller, you'll need to adjust your ratios.
· Oil: Olive oil keeps the turkey moist through the cooking process. Plus, it gives the seasonings something to hold onto.
· Spices: This recipe is seasoned with a savory blend of five herbs and spices (more on that below).

Best Seasoning for Turkey

What sets this herb-roasted turkey apart? The spice blend, of course! This recipe calls for garlic powder, dried basil, ground sage, salt, and black pepper. Of course, you can add other spices and seasonings to suit your taste — reviewers say rosemary and thyme perfectly complement the other flavors.

How to Make Herb-Roasted Turkey

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this top-rated herb-roasted turkey recipe:

1. Make herb blend: Combine olive oil, garlic powder, basil, sage, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Season the turkey: Make sure the turkey is clean and dry, then place it in a roasting pan. Use a basting brush to apply the herb blend all over the turkey.
3. Roast the turkey: Pour two cups of water in the bottom of the roasting pan. Cover the pan and roast in the preheated oven until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F. Let it rest for about 30 minutes before carving.

More Turkey FAQs

Here at Allrecipes, we know a thing or two about cooking the perfect Thanksgiving feast — that's why we've made it our mission to answer your most burning turkey questions. Check out some of our best turkey tips, tricks, and guides from over the years:

· How to Brine a Turkey
· 3 Ways to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey
· How Much Turkey Per Person Do You Need?
· How to Truss a Turkey the Easy Way
· How to Smoke a Turkey
· How to Stuff a Turkey
· How to Carve a Turkey the Easy Way

Explore our entire collection of Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Everyone LOVED the turkey," says Letty. "It was so tender and juicy. The flavors even seeped all the way into the meat found closest to the bones. Absolutely awesome!"

"This is our tried and true Thanksgiving turkey," raves Angela Barton. "We add rosemary. Make sure to get the mixture in between the skin and breast like a rub."

"My family loved it," according to costdirect. "With such a simple recipe one can begin to experiment with the different herb/spice combinations. I now recommend this recipe to anyone who wants to cook a turkey for the first time or just wants a flavorful turkey."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

  • 1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed

  • ¾ cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder

  • 2 teaspoons dried basil

  • 1 teaspoon ground sage

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead shot of measured ingredients gathered to make roasted turkey

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Clean turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Place in a roasting pan with a lid.

    Overhead shot of a whole turkey in a roasting pan

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Combine olive oil, garlic powder, basil, sage, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Use a basting brush to apply the herb mixture all over the outside of the uncooked turkey. Pour 2 cups water into the bottom of the roasting pan.

    Overhead closeup of a turkey being coated with seasoning before roasting

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Cover the pan and roast in the preheated oven until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh measures 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) with an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

    Side angle shot of a roasted turkey with a thermometer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Remove turkey from the oven, and allow to stand for about 30 minutes before carving.

    High angle closeup of herb-roasted turkey on a serving platter with fresh herbs and orange slices

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

    a close up, low angle view of sliced herb roasted turkey on a serving platter with fresh herbs

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

928 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

597 Calories
34g Fat
1g Carbs
68g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 597
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 34g 43%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 198mg 66%
Sodium 311mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 68g 136%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 70mg 5%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 696mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.