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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!!
Could the turkey be spatchcocked and dry brined the day before roasting it? If so, would you suggest a change to the cooking time?
Hi Mital,
So sorry, I have actually never done a spatchcocked turkey so I am not sure what the cooking time would be. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Would you still use the chicken broth if you don’t have a rack? I just have pan.
Hi Jocelyn,
Yes, go ahead and use the broth:) I hope you love this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
I’m all set to roast your turkey. Your temp to take out the turkey is 160 deg. Is that for the breast or the thigh? I’m inserting an oven digital thermometer while it cooks.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for making this recipe! You will check the temp in the thigh:) Happy Thanksgiving! xT
I make this turkey every year now (like 3 years now). My family loves it. I used to cook my turkey in a brown bag like my great grandmother, but no more. Thank you for the fantastic recipe.
Love to hear this Christalle! Thanks so much for making this recipe every year:) Happy Thanksgiving! xT
This is the third year in a row I’ll be making this Turkey. It’s so delicious and simple, thank you so much for the cheesecloth hack. It is a lifesaver!
Love to hear this Naya!! So glad you have been enjoying this turkey recipe:) Happy Thanksgiving! xT
I made this turkey last year and it was amazing!! This year, I’m making in a new oven in a new house! How do you adjust time for roasting in convection oven? That’s the only option I have unfortunately….
Hi Erica,
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe last year! I am not sure on the exact times, but I believe it’s going to cook faster, I would definitely have a meat thermometer handy:) Happy Thanksgiving! xx
I have an 11lb Turkey and trying to figure out the timing. Would I do 450 for 30 min or 45? And then how long at 350?
Thanks!!
Amberly
Hi Amberly,
I would do 30 minutes at 450F and then 85 minutes at 350F. I hope this helps! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Do you rinse the turkey before prepping? Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Norma,
I do not rinse my turkey. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Love this recipe! Any suggestions for cooking in a counter top roaster? Trying to save room in the oven.
Hi Kristen,
So sorry, I have never made a turkey in a roaster before so I really don’t know what adjustments would need to be made! Sorry I couldn’t be of more help! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Do you fold the cheesecloth in two for it to be”double lined”, or do we only use one single layer of cheesecloth on the turkey? Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi there,
Yes, I fold it in half so it is double lined. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hi! So excited to make the turkey this year. We have an 18 pound turkey so wondering how you would modify the timing of the recipe! Thanks
Hi Mariel,
You will need to add 12 minutes per pound to this recipe, so about 24-36 additional minutes. I hope this turns out well for you! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hello,
I have a 26 pound turkey, I know you said you recommend 12 min additional per pound but how long for the first part at 450 and second at 350? Thanks!
How would you adjust the cooking time if you want to stuff the turkey with stuffing/dressing?
Hi Mary,
I would not recommend stuffing your turkey:) Happy Thanksgiving! xx
Do you recommend brining at all?
Hi Olivia,
I personally do not brine my turkey, but you can if you would like. Happy Thanksgiving! xx
How early can I prep the turkey? The day before or 2 days?
Hi Rebekah,
You can prep the compound butter in advance, but I personally think the turkey itself should be saved for Thanksgiving. I hope you love this recipe! xx
Hi! Do you think this would work just as well with a whole chicken? Thanks!!
Hi there,
I sure do! I would just adjust your bake time accordingly:) I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi. I have a 21 lb turkey. How much longer do you think I will have to cook it?
Hi Lori,
You are going to need to add 12 minutes per pound to this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
This may be a very beginner question, but what do you do with the cheesecloth afterward? Is it tossed or cleaned and reused? Thank you!
Hi Denise,
You will toss the cheesecloth:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hi! If I would like to do this with a chicken instead what temperature and cooking time would you suggest? They are about 4-5 lbs each thank you!
Hi Nadeen,
So sorry, I would follow a recipe specific for cooking a whole chicken, it’s going to cook differently than the turkey. Best of luck!!