Herb Roasted Turkey

The herb butter used in this recipe takes roasted turkey to a whole new level.  It is so juicy and full of delicious flavor.

Flour and Reynolds Oven Bag, Turkey Size, not pictured.

Herb Roasted Turkey

1 Reynolds Oven Bag, Turkey Size
1 tbsp. flour
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
12 to 24 pound turkey, thawed
1 stick plus 2 tbsp. melted butter 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Shake flour in Reynolds Oven Bag; place in roasting pan at least 2 inches deep.  Add celery and onion to oven bag.  Remove neck and giblets from turkey.  Lightly stuff with your favorite stuffing recipe, if desired.  Inject melted butter everywhere into the turkey--the breast, legs, thighs, etc.

Herb Butter:
2 sticks butter, softened  
1/2 cup (heaping) chopped fresh parsley
6-8 cloves garlic, minced or 3 1/2 tsp. jarred minced garlic
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. black pepper
Kosher salt

Combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, minced garlic, seasoned salt, onion powder, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Using your hands works well for this.  From the tail portion of the bird, place a spatula or your hand between the skin on the breast and the meat. Coat under the skin with the herb butter. Using your hands, spread the rest of the herb butter on top of the turkey's skin and inside the cavity, as well. Sprinkle with Kosher salt.  Place turkey in oven bag on top of vegetables.

Close oven bag with nylon tie; cut six 1/2-inch slits in top.  Tuck ends of bag in pan.  Bake 2 to 2 1/2 hours for a 12 to 16 lb. turkey, 2 1/2 to 3 hours for a 16-20 lb. turkey, and 3 to 3 1/2 hours for a 20 to 24 lb. turkey, or until thermometer inserted into thickest part of the inner thigh, not touching the bone, reads 180 degrees.  Add 1/2 hour for stuffed turkey.  Thermometer inserted into middle of the stuffing should read 165 degrees.  Let stand in oven bag for 30 minutes.  If turkey sticks to bag, gently loosen bag from turkey before opening bag.

Click here for printable format 

*Herb Butter recipe and application method from mrshappyhomemaker.com:  http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2013/11/herb-roasted-turkey/

Video of how to carve a turkey (easy method):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAe7-GpV98E

My dad was always in charge of the Thanksgiving turkey.  He would inject it with melted butter and salt it before roasting, and I thought it was the best turkey ever.  I have followed food blogger Mrs. Happy Homemaker for years, and when I saw her Herb Roasted Turkey recipe, I knew I had to try it combined with my dad's method.  It lives up to everything she promises, and her step-by-step photos are very helpful.  Please click on the herb butter link above to see her application photos.