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It’s finally time for Turkey Talk!! I LOVE this herb and butter roasted turkey with white wine pan gravy.
Like November is here! I have only been waiting for this day since like, the beginning of August! I am such a freak, I mean who starts thinking about the holidays in the heat of the summer? Basically what I’m trying to say is that this post has been a long time coming.
While everybody was enjoying all the things that go along with October, I was roasting turkeys, mashing potatoes and eating Thanksgiving dinner. Or well, at least towards the end of October I was. I try to be on top of things, but then somehow I always fail.
UGH.
But hey! I got the turkey made and um, I am pretty dang happy with it. I mean, come on. Doesn’t it look perfect?!?!
It is!!
Ok, so here’s the deal. When it comes to the holidays, I am all about traditional. I love traditions and to be honest, I don’t like breaking them. That said, I do love to switch little things up just a little with things like side dishes and desserts. But the turkey?
The turkey has to be classic. Herbs and butter. Nothing fancy, nothing overdone. Just classic, simple and delicious flavors.
For as long as I can remember, my mom has always cooked the Thanksgiving bird. Even last year, she cooked the turkey. She is a good turkey roaster and we had a good thing going. I’d do the sides + desserts + apps and she handled the turkey…although last year, I do recall that she and my dad were out hiking for most the time the turkey was cooking leaving me to tend to it.
Actually, as I recall, she and dad were still hiking when people began arriving for dinner. Typical.
Anyway, I love my mom’s classic turkey, so I took inspiration from her, read a whole bunch online and then made some turkeys (yup plural, and I still have three more to make between now and Christmas). And you guys, I swear by this turkey you see here today.
It’s perfection and I could not be more excited about it.
As you can read from the title, Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy, my turkey is simple and traditional. Pretty sure it doesn’t get much more classic than this.
Just the way I like it.
The secret to my turkey is a butter soaked cheesecloth. I read about this method of cooking the bird in this month’s Food and Wine. The second I read about it, I knew I had to try it. It’s flipping genius!
You soak a layer of cheesecloth in melted butter (mine is full of fresh thyme, sage, parsley and lemon zest!) and then drape the butter soaked cheesecloth over the bird. Then you roast the turkey with the cheesecloth ON the bird. The cloth protects the skin from burning all while basting the turkey with butter the entire time it roasts.
Genius I tell you, and the skin comes out perfect, the meat is incredibly moist and the flavor is spot on! You do not even need to tent the bird with foil, the butter soaked cheesecloth works magic guys and it could not be easier.
Soo the gravy though?!? My mom has alway has always had trouble with gravy. Like it was either clumpy, too thin or flavorless. I get it, gravy can be hard, but this pan gravy will make your life simple. Nothing too tricky and it gets made in the very same pan you roast the turkey in. Hello less dishes – YES!
Plus, the flavor is out of this world. It’s all about those pan drippings. 🙂
So are you excited yet?? Are you going to start planning Thanksgiving? It’s T-minus twenty days away and I have then next couple weeks packed with my personal Thanksgiving menu. Think sweet taters, pies, cookies, mashers, casseroles, salad, bread and the works. I may even throw a few drinks your way this holiday season too.
Wait, question: are we into drinks? Like cocktails? With booze? Let me know.
It’s gonna be a really good November. But since Turkey is the star of the show, I figured I would start there.
Next up are the apps, sides, desserts and a couple easy dinners too (you know cause we all gotta eat between now and the big day – duh!).
YUM. Did you break out the stretchy pants yet, cause I think it may be time. I am full-force (like intensely so) in all holiday GO mode, so excited!
SIDE NOTE: My dad asked, since we had turkey in October, if that meant we could skip it at Thanksgiving. I practically looked at him like he was insane. I mean, what??!? Who skips the turkey on Thanksgiving? Guys, he is out of his mind I tell ya. Like losing it BIG TIME.
Or he’s just a giant Scrooge, thinking a combo of both actually.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
That picture? It makes you happy and excited, right?? I know, me too!!
Made this for the first time. I never made a turkey before. It came out absolutely delicious! So moist and the skin was so crispy and golden in color. I will make this every year. Thank you so much for such a great recipe. And for the people asking about the cheesecloth getting dark . Mine did too but the turkey doesn’t get too dark. Great recipe!
Hi Amber,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
My turkey turned out great! No more brining for me, not needed!
Hi Trent,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
the turkey was so flavorful and juicy. and the skin was so crispy and golden brown!! thank you for the recipe!
Hi Ana,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
My family has been making this recipe for years. This version is slightly different than the previous recipe and we did not like it as much. Is there a way to access the original version of the recipe? Thank you.
Hey Hannah,
This is the original version of the recipe, it’s never been changed:) xTieghan
Hi Tiegan!
Can you help me with cooking times if I have a 18 pound turkey?
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Lauren,
You will need to add 12 minutes per pound. I hope you love the recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Trying this today and our house already smells amazing! Is it okay that the cheesecloth is getting quite brown/burnt looking?
Hi Rachel,
You bet! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Are you supposed to put the additional fresh sage and thyme inside the bird along with the lemon, garlic and onion? How much of the herbs?
Hey Laury,
You bet…all of those instructions are in step 4. I hope you love the recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Does the 3 teaspoons of salt go all in the compound butter? Plus more for seasoning inside the cavity? Or is the 3 teaspoons total for using in both?
I am wondering the same thing! Did you figure it out?
No, but I was scared to do it all so I did 2 tsp salt and like 1 tsp of pepper . And then extra inside the cavity just eyeballing it. I’m sure it will still be okay lol fingers crossed. Goodluck happy thanksgiving
Fab! I did something similar. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
That was my question! Is it ok if the cheesecloth gets pretty dark?
Yes the cheesecloth will get dark!
Hi Amber,
The 3 teaspoons os salt go into the butter:) I hope you love the recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Hi Tiegan!
Is it okay to add water at the bottom of the pan instead of broth? I’ve run out of broth 🙁
Hi Zeina,
That will be okay, maybe add some seasonings to it! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Wow!!!! Best turkey I have ever ever made or eaten. Hands down brilliant.
Hi Angelica,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Hello!
I am going to attempt this recipe tomorrow for thanksgiving .. I am so excited to try it looks amazing!
one question though, we have 20 people
coming and two 15lb turkeys . Do you recommend I cook them together at the same time ? any time/ temp adjustments ???
Hi Caity,
Yes, I would do the same time and temp if you have a large enough oven for the two birds. I hope you love the recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Best turkey and gravy recipe, huge hit with my family! Turkey was so moist! Love the gravy, very smooth! Thank you!
Hi Karen,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
I feel like this is a dumb question but do you lift the cheesecloth up to baste and put back down or do you pour the liquid right over the cheesecloth?
Hi Jenn,
I just baste right over the cheesecloth. I hope you love the recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Can this recipe be done in a pellet grill? We wanted to use this recipe however the hubbies would like to smoke it. Wasn’t sure how this would work out.
Hi Jackie,
So sorry, I have not tested this so I honestly am not sure. I hope you enjoy the recipe, let me know if you give it a try. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
I am so excited to try your plan for Thanksgiving. My daughter and I love most everything we have tried. I’ve done all the pre-day work. Can’t wait to simply bake and assemble tomorrow. Also, from my tastings, this is going to be an amazing feast!
Question: I bought the cheesecloth you’ve suggested for the turkey. I have no experience using cheesecloth. The package says washable… do you wash it before using? How do you wash it? Should I boil it? Also do you cut it down, or just fold it? It’s 4 yards long.
Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
You can just wet your cheesecloth like stated in step 4, you will throw it out when you are done with the turkey. You will need to cut it down and fold it. I hope you love the recipe. xTieghan
Thanks so much!