Herb and Citrus Roasted Turkey

Serves: 5 - 6

Time: 3.5 - 4 hours

Difficulty: Just Wright - medium

Healthy Level: Wright in the Middle

Listening To: Podcast - Small Doses with Amanda Seales

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 10 -12 pound Turkey

• 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 lemon

• 2 handfuls of fresh thyme

• 2 handfuls of fresh sage leaves

• 2 handfuls fresh rosemary

• Salt and Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. If using a frozen turkey, remove the turkey from the freezer a few days before Thanksgiving and let it thaw in the refrigerator.

2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Be sure to move the oven rack down to accommodate the turkey.

3. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and rinse the turkey with cool water, and pat dry with paper towels. Let it rest on a baking sheet on the counter for at least an hour to try to get it to room temperature. Take out the giblets and other goodies, and tie the legs of the turkey together with kitchen twine. My first time was confusing but there are a BUNCH on YouTube Videos on removing the giblets / “trussing” or tying up the turkey.

4. While the turkey rests, in a food processor, combine the juice of the lemon, lemon zest, 1 handful of thyme, 1 handful or sage leaves, 1 handful of rosemary, butter, salt and pepper. Pulse a few times to make the compound butter. Be sure to get the butter and herbs well mixed.

5. Move the turkey into a roasting pan, breast side up. Using your hands, smear the compound butter all over the turkey. Liberally season the bird with salt and pepper.

6. Fill the inside of the turkey with the lemon halves, and remaining handful of herbs.

7. Place the turkey into the oven and roast for 30 minutes at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Then move the heat down to 385 degrees.

8. Continue to cook the turkey for about 2 hours, rotating the turkey every 30 minutes and basting the turkey with the drippings from the bottom of the pan.

9. After about 2.5 hours of cooking time, use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the turkey to ensure the internal temperature is 175 degrees.

10. If the turkey is done remove from the oven and tent with some foil while you prep the rest of dinner and gravy (using the drippings of course).