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It’s finally time for Turkey Talk!! I LOVE this herb and butter roasted turkey with white wine pan gravy.
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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.
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy.
Ingredients
- 1 (14-16) pound turkey, giblets and neck removed
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, plus more for stuffing the bird
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, plus more for stuffing the bird
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 piece large of double lined cheesecloth
- 2 lemons, halved
- 1 garlic head, tips sliced off
- 1 onion, halved
- 7-8 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth
White Wine Pan Gravy
- 1 cup white wine
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- drippings from the turkey
- 2-3 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth, as needed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Remove the turkey from the fridge one hour before roasting. Remove the giblets + neck and allow to come to room temperature.2. Make the butter. In a medium bowl, combine the 1 stick butter, the sage, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper. 3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan.4. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper and fill the cavity with the, lemons, garlic and onion. Gently lift the skin of the turkey 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. Take the remaining 1 stick butter and melt it over the low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Dampen your cheesecloth with warm water and squeeze dry. Submerge the cheesecloth in the melted butter, making sure all the cheese cloth has soaked up the butter. Lay the cheesecloth over the bird, covering most of the bird. Drizzle any remaining butter over the turkey.5. Pour 4 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting plan. Place the roasting pan in the oven and roast for 45 minutes at 450 degrees F. After 45 minutes reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and continue cooking for another 2 hours (until the turkey registers 160 F. on a meat thermometer), adding 1-2 cup of broth half way through roasting. I like to baste the turkey with the drippings 2 times throughout cooking and when doing so rotate the roasting pan.6. Remove the turkey from the oven and remove the cheesecloth, transfer the turkey to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil and let rest 20-30 minutes before slicing.7. Make the gravy. Strain the liquid from the roasting pan, skimming off most of the fat. I like to pour the broth into a 4 cup measuring cup and then place in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps the fat rise to the top of the surface. Once you have skimmed the fat, add enough broth to equal about 4-5 cups total of drippings/broth.8. Place the roasting pan over two burners and add a splash of wine (about 1/2 cup) to deglaze the pan. You want to scrape up all those brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Once the pan is throughly deglazed, add the butter and once melted, add the flour whisking to combine. Cook stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden, around 5 minutes.9. Increase 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 reserved broth, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the sage and cook, continuing 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.
Notes
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.
That picture? It makes you happy and excited, right?? I know, me too!!
Hi Tieghan, Have you ever Spatchcocked a turkey? I understand that it cooks evenly and has a nice crispy skin. I’m cooking for 23 guests this Thanksgiving, which is my 3rd year using strictly your Half-Baked Harvest recipes. My family raves about my dinner, and begs me to make the same dishes! Due to the size of the crowd, I may use the make ahead turkey as discussed in a previous conversation, but came across the Spatchcocked method and curious about your thoughts. Preparing to gobble, Carol
Hey Carol,
Thanks so much for making this turkey every year!! I’ve actually never spatchcocked a turkey before…I bet this would work nicely for you though! Some readers have commented before that it worked well for them. I hope this helps! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! xT
hi!!! do you know if I could sub the butter for dairy free butter? My partner has a dairy, gluten, coconut, soy, egg allergy lol so trying to find a recipe he can enjoy. Let me know what you think or if you have any tricks for those with allergies!!
Hi Gavi,
Yes, I think that should work nicely for you! I hope your family enjoys this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Just curious, have you ever made this the day before Thanksgiving? I have heard that Ina makes her “Make Ahead Turkey” the day before, & the day of Thanksgiving, she just pours 1/4” layer of gravy into a large oven proof serving platter., slices the turkey & arranges it on top of the gravy. She then places the platter, uncovered into the oven (325-350 degrees) for 15-30 min. till hot. Serve with extra gravy on the side. We all know that the day of is so hectic, just trying to make things ahead of time. What are your thoughts? Still planning on your recipe for your turkey, which we LOVE!
Hey Leslie,
Thank you so much! I have actually never tried that with this recipe, but Ina is the best so I am sure it would work nicely! Sorry I couldn’t be of more help! xT
Can I use the wine , if children are eating the gravy?
Hi Kanisha,
Yes, the alcohol will burn off, but if you are worried, you can skip the wine and use additional broth. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Just checking to see if it’s ok to brine the turkey my own way before starting this recipe…? Thank you! Looks delicious!
Hey Jacklyn,
Totally, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe! Happy November! xx
Hi Tieghan! I can’t wait to try this method this year. Would it work to substitute the wine in the gravy with 1/2c white wine vinegar and 1/2 c water? Thank you!
PS – I’m hoping to make it to your book signing in Austin!
Hi Kristen,
Thanks so much!! I would not recommend that for the wine:) If you don’t want to use wine, I would just use extra broth. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions! I hope to see you in Austin! xxT
Did you wrap the turkey in cheese cloth or put the cheese cloth on top of the turkey?
Hi Ronit,
You are going to place the cheesecloth over the turkey. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
How would you adjust your baking for a larger turkey? Would do the 450⁰ for the save about of time & then adjust the baking time at 350⁰? How would you adjust per pound? I saw your instructions for the smaller turkey & wonder if it would be the same instructions for a larger one. Thank you I can’t wait to try this for my first go at Thanksgiving Turkey!
Hey Carie,
You bet! So you can keep the time the same at 450F and then add 12 minutes per pound at 350F. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Do you cover the roasting pan with a lid or cook it uncovered? Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Nicole,
You will roast the turkey uncovered. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
We did an early 🇨🇦 Thanksgiving yesterday with family because we will be away on our canadian Thanksgiving mid-october. This was my 1st Turkey and it was a total success ! I had a 12.5 pound bird and reduced the roasting time by 15 min total (calculated from comment below). It was easy to follow. I made the make ahead gravy recipe the day before and added drippings to it + added drippings and the roasted garlic head to my side mash potatoes. My mother in law was so surprised the turkey had not been in the oven all day !
Hey Virginie,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Thanks for your comment! Happy Thanksgiving! Xx
Hi Teighan!
I was wondering what temperature I should do a 10lb turkey at? Butterball says 325 F, could I still follow your instructions above at that temp? What is roasting the turkey at 450 doing?
Hey Lindsey,
So the high temp is going to help brown the turkey. You will want to reduce the roast time at 350F by 12 minutes per pound. I hope this helps! Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
My grandmother always made the gravy in the pan that the turkey was roasted in. It does make a difference.
Hi,
How long would you cook for a 20 Pound turkey? Anything else to consider or change?
Thank you! Love all your recipes
I’d like to know this as well!
I can’t find any cheesecloth at my stores and I need to make the turkey tonight. Are there any substitutes? :,)
Hi Rose! I haven’t ever tried this without the cheesecloth before so I can’t say for sure! xT
Just to confirm, you don’t need to use the lid of the roasting pan at all in the cooking process?
Can I use salted butter for the turkey?
Yes, you can! 🙂 xT