This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey Parts. Roast your holiday turkey in half the time and without any stress. Made with butter, fresh herbs, garlic, onions, and wine, this simple roasted turkey will become the recipe you make every holiday season. Use a sheet of butter-soaked cheesecloth to help the turkey achieve that perfect golden skin we’re always looking for. This turkey recipe is almost effortless but, most importantly, so delicious—especially with my simple pan gravy!


Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
I wasn’t sure I would share this recipe, but after I shared it on Live with Kelly and Mark last week, I knew I needed to give it to you all as well! There was so much excitement around this turkey recipe, and I fully understand why.
If you have the butcher cut the meat, it’s pretty much effortless. It also ensures you’ll get a perfectly cooked turkey every single time. You’re going to love this!
I started making this recipe a few years ago. My family is a little picky when it comes to turkey meat. Most of them only like the breast meat. So, one year, I decided to roast only the breasts. It ended up being so much easier than dealing with the entire turkey!

Last year, I got even smarter and asked my butcher to break down the whole turkey for me. Then, I could also roast the thighs and legs (mainly for my oldest brother, Creighton). Roasting just the breasts is great, but I wanted to have some of the juices and flavors from the thighs and legs as well. Plus, I knew the gravy would be more delicious with the juices from the thighs and legs!
Everyone loved the turkey so much that this year, I’m doing the same. We have a smaller group, so it will be perfect.
I’m very excited to give you all the recipe, and just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, too!

Let’s Dive Into The Details
Ingredients
- turkey parts, breast, thighs, and or wings
- salted butter
- fresh sage, thyme, and parsley
- lemon
- cheesecloth
- garlic
- yellow onions
- broth
- white wine
- flour
Special Tools
For this recipe, you need either a roasting pan or a large cast iron skillet.

Steps
Step 1: the turkey
If you’re going to use a whole turkey, my best advice is to have your butcher cut it up for you. I call my local Whole Foods and have them break the turkey down before I head to the store.
Trust me, this will save you so much time, hassle, and cleanup. Plus, it’s totally free!
Once you have the turkey pieces, you can use all breasts, all thighs, wings, or a mix. I recommend a mix for a super flavorful gravy, but using just the breasts will be great too!
Do what’s going to be best for you and your guests!
Arrange the turkey pieces in a roasting pan. Let them come to room temp for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

Step 2: make the herb butter
For the herb butter, I mix one stick of salted butter with fresh sage, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, and black pepper.
Rub the butter all over and underneath the turkey’s skin. I usually season with more salt.

Step 3: the butter-soaked cheesecloth
Dampen the cheesecloth in water, then ring out the excess water.
Melt one stick of butter and submerge the cloth in it. Now, drape the cheesecloth over the turkey. I know this feels weird but think of it like a butter-soaked blanket for your turkey. The butter drips down on the turkey as it cooks, keeping it moist and protecting the skin from burning.

Step 4: roasting
Arrange the onions, shallots, and garlic around the turkey. Roast the turkey at 450° for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven to 400° and roast until the turkey registers 160° on a meat thermometer. For a 14-pound turkey, that should take another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
I recommend using a meat thermometer for best results, as the times will vary depending on the size of our turkey pieces.

Step 5: roasting
Now, let the turkey rest and make the gravy.
For the gravy, place the roasting pan on the burner. Add the wine and scrape up all the browned bits. Now add butter and flour, then whisk in the broth.
Season with sage, salt, and pepper. I like to add a pinch of cayenne too.

Step 6: slice up the turkey
Slice the turkey. Don’t stress on slicing it the perfect way.
Serve the turkey with lots and lots of gravy – of course!
Enjoy this recipe! I hope it provides you all with a very stress-free holiday dinner!
Looking for more dinners? Here’s a few more to try!

Smothered Chicken in Mushroom Wine Pan Sauce
Crockpot Thai Short Ribs with Coconut Rice
Crockpot Short Rib Bourguignon
Lastly, if you make this Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey Parts, be sure to leave a comment and/or rate this recipe! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey Parts

IngredientsÂ
- 1 (14-16) pound fresh turkey, cut into pieces, (see note)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped sage
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 piece large of double lined cheesecloth
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, melted
- 2 yellow onions, quarted
- 2 shallots, halved
- 1 head garlic, tips of the cloves sliced off
- 6 cups broth
White Wine Pan Gravy
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- drippings from the turkey
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- salt and black pepper
InstructionsÂ
- 1. Ask your butcher to cut the turkey into pieces: breast, thighs, wings, and legs. Remove the turkey from the fridge one hour before roasting and allow it to come to room temperature.2. Preheat the oven to 450° F. Arrange the turkey pieces in a large roasting pan or between 2 skillets3. To make the butter. In a bowl, combine 1 stick of butter, sage, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Gently lift the skin of the turkey pieces by using your fingers and going in between the skin and body of the bird. Rub the herb butter under the skin of the bird, spreading some of the butter on top of the skin as well. 4. Arrange the onions, shallots, and garlic around the turkey. Melt the remaining stick of butter. Dampen your cheesecloth with water and squeeze dry. Submerge the cheesecloth in the melted butter, making sure all the cheesecloth has soaked up the butter. Lay the cheesecloth over the turkey. Drizzle any remaining butter over the turkey.5. Place the roasting pan in the oven for 30 minutes at 450° F. Add the 2 cups of broth and reduce the oven temperature to 400° F. Continue cooking until the turkey registers 160° F on a meat thermometer. 6. Remove the turkey from the oven and tent with foil. Let rest for 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, then slice the meat against the grain. 7. Meanwhile, make the gravy. Strain the liquid from the roasting pan, skimming off most of the fat. Add enough broth to equal about 4 cups total of drippings/broth.8. Place the roasting pan over two burners and add 1/2 cup wine, scraping up all those brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Once the pan is deglazed, add the butter. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden, around 5 minutes.9. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1/2 cup of white wine, whisking as you go to let the wine reduce down. Slowly add the reserved broth, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the sage. Continue to stir until the gravy has thickened to your desired thickness, around 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm with the turkey.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.


























Hands down best turkey I have ever eaten. I hosted 27 family members/ neighbors for Thanksgiving. This was easy, delicious and earned rave reviews from guests. Thank you!
Hey Tricia,
Awesome! Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it!
Happy Holidays!
How much salt in the herbed butter? It doesn’t say.
Hi Amber,
You can do 1 teaspoon of salt. I hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays!
I have a 10 pound bone in turkey breast. Do I need to add all the vegetables to the pan or just roast it alone on a rack in the pan? What do you think the best way to roast this bone in breast would be. Thank you.
Hey MK! I would add all the vegetables and roast the breast as directed but shorten the cooking time. It will be helpful if you can use an oven thermometer to ensure it’s done as the roasting time will vary slightly with just the breast.
Does this make sense?
Let me know if I can help you further. Happy thanksgiving!!
Can I use this same recipe with a whole turkey (not cutting it)?
Hi Lisa,
You bet, here is the recipe for the full turkey:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/herb-and-butter-roasted-turkey-with-white-wine-pan-gravy/
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
If I use my Roasting Pan do I use the rack or do I put the turkey pieces directly in the pan without the rack?
Look forward to trying this!
Hi Kay,
You can use the rack! Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays!
I could only find a boneless turkey breast, legs and wings (all turkeys are currently frozen and the butcher can’t break them down). Since the breast doesn’t have a bone will it dry out? Or will cooking time be different?
Hey Danielle! I think you should be fine to follow the directions as is! No adjustments need.
Let me know what you think! Hope you love the turkey!! Happy Thursday!
My partner is concerned that the cheesecloth will get stuck to the turkey skin. Can you please debunk this thought. Also, can I use this recipe for a full turkey and just adjust cook time?
Hi Kate! The cheesecloth doesn’t stick to the skin, I promise! Here is my recipe for the full turkey with all the details and info!https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/herb-and-butter-roasted-turkey-with-white-wine-pan-gravy/ Hope you enjoy! xT
Thanks so much xoxo
Happy holidays 😊
I am unable to find double lined cheesecloth. Everywhere is sold out 😩 can I just double up the single lined?!
Yes that’s okay to do!
Hello
Do you think this could be cooked the day before and reheated?
Hi Kelly,
I personally wouldn’t recommend that:) If you absolutely had to, I would add broth and just warm on low. I hope you love this recipe! xx
Could I use this same process for an all white meat turkey roast? 7 lbs
Hi Janet,
Sure, that would work nicely for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
To avoid a last minute rush at the store can the Turkey be purchased prior-cut up by the butcher- then freeze the pieces till they need to defrost for thanksgiving time? Looking to do this next year!!
Hi Linda,
As long as the turkey was not previously frozen, yes that should be fine for you to do! I hope this helps! xx
Only a fresh turkey can be used for this recipe?
Hi Whitney,
If you have a frozen turkey you can thaw and follow this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx