Herb Roasted Turkey for the Holidays
Servings Prep Time
8 20mins.
Cook Time
3hrs. +10 mins.
Servings Prep Time
8 20mins.
Cook Time
3hrs. +10 mins.
Ingredients
For the turkey
  • 115 lb. whole turkeyfresh or thawed
  • 2 large onion choppeddivided
  • 1 lemon slicedseeds removed
  • Italian dried seasoning
  • 2 garlic clovessmashed
  • salt and freshly ground pepperto taste
  • 3 fresh parsley sprigs
  • 3 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 fresh sage leaves sprigs
  • 4 multi-colored carrots choppedabout 1 1/2 inches length on the bias
  • 3 celery stalk choppeddivided
  • olive oilfor brushing
  • 2Tbsp butter
For the stock
  • giblets from the turkey
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 1 celery stalk chopped
  • 1 carrot chopped
  • 10 whole peppercorns
  • 2 fresh Italian parsley sprigs
  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1/4tsp salt
For the gravy
  • 2Tbsp butter
  • 2Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • stock and drippings
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
For garnish
  • 3 clementineshalved
  • 3 sprigs each of thyme, parsley and sage
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Remove giblets from inside of turkey and set aside. Wash turkey well with running water inside and out. Dry turkey inside and out with paper towels and transfer into a large cookie sheet.
  2. Wash the giblets well. In a small pot add the giblets, 1/2 chopped onions, 1 chopped carrot, 1 chopped celery, 2 sprigs parsley, 2 sprigs thyme, 10 whole peppercorns, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add water just enough to cover everything. Cover the pot and bring to a boil on high heat. When it starts to boil, lower the heat and let simmer for 1 hr. Skim any scum on top and discard.
  3. Meanwhile, spread the rest of chopped onions, carrots, and celery on the roasting pan. Transfer turkey on top of vegetables on the roasting pan. Stuff the turkey with 1/2 chopped onion, 1 chopped celery, 2 sage leaves, 2 sprigs thyme, 2 sprigs parsley, 2 smashed garlic cloves. 3 slices of lemon, 1/4 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper. Insert 2 fingers under the skin on each breast section while pushing in gently. This will create a pocket. Inside this pocket insert 1 tbsp butter, 1/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning, and 1 slice of lemon. Push it in gently until it reaches the center of the breast. Pull breast skin back down. Repeat this process for the other side of the breast. Brush olive oil all over the turkey. Season it generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Sprinkle dried Italian seasoning all over the turkey. Tuck wing tips under the shoulder of the turkey. Truss the turkey by tying the end of the drumsticks on top of each other with a cooking twine. Tie with a knot twice. Cut off extra twine, leaving 1/2 inch.
  4. Roast turkey in the preheated oven at 450ºF for 25 mins. Then lower the temperature to 350ºF and continue roasting for about 2 1/2 hrs. At the last hour, start basting the turkey with its juices every 20 mins. Check the temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer. Insert it in the thick part of the breast without touching the bone. It should read 165 when it’s cooked. If not, cook it for 5-10 mins. longer. Take out turkey and let it rest in a big platter. Cover the top loosely with foil.
  5. Make the gravy: Reserve the carrots from roasting and add it to the serving platter. Strain the drippings and put all the juices in a bowl. Place roasting pan on the stove at medium heat. Add in 2 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp flour. Whisk it together for 3 mins. just to cook the flour. Strain the stock from the giblets and it into the pan. Add the strained juices back into the roasting pan. Whisk it until smooth. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed with salt and pepper. Turn off heat. Gravy will get thicker as it cools down.
  6. At serving time time, cut off string from the drumsticks of the turkey. Add the carrots from the roasting onto the platter. Garnish with clementine halves and fresh sprigs of thyme, sage and parsley. Carve the turkey and serve with warm gravy.
Recipe Notes

Gravy can be reheated on the stove. If it’s gel-like, add some broth and whisk it.