Herb and Citrus Butter Roasted Turkey Recipe

Have you ever thought about mixing up your Thanksgiving spread? I know what you're thinking. Getting a meal on the table is hectic enough, I don't have time to get creative! Here's a turkey recipe we tried out at the Ryan household last year and it was awesome!

You will have to step out of your "comfort zone" a little bit, and turkey traditionalists, this may not be up your alley. However, we tried this turkey recipe last year and it was AMAZING! Trust me, it's totally worth a try. Maybe cook two turkeys this year? Here's what you need to do for the herb and citrus butter roasted turkey.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup(s) butter, softened
• 1/2 shallot, chopped
• 8 large sage leaves, torn
• 2 tablespoon(s) fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon(s) rosemary leaves
• 1 clove(s) garlic
• 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh whole turkey
• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• Kitchen string
• 1 cup(s) dry white wine
• 1 cup(s) low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
• 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

1. Zest and juice lemon to equal 3 tablespoons into the bowl of a food processor; add butter and next 5 ingredients. Process until very smooth and herbs are minced. Reserve and chill 1/4 cup herb butter.
2. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Remove giblets and neck from turkey and discard. Drain cavity well; pat dry with paper towels. Loosen and lift skin from turkey breast without totally detaching skin. Rub 3 tablespoons herb butter under skin; replace skin and secure with wooden picks if desired. Sprinkle cavity and outside of turkey with desired amount of salt and freshly ground pepper.
3. Arrange onion and next 2 ingredients in a large roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on a lightly greased roasting rack in pan. Tie ends of legs together with kitchen string; tuck wingtips under. Rub entire turkey with remaining herb butter. Pour wine and chicken broth into roasting pan.
4. Bake on lowest oven rack at 425 degrees F for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees F and cook 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165 degrees F, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices. Shield with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Remove from oven, and let stand 20 minutes.
5. Transfer turkey to a serving platter. Pour drippings through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, discarding solids. Reserve 2 1/2 cups pan drippings.
6. Melt reserved chilled butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add reserved 2 1/2 cups drippings to saucepan, and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until thickened. Serve turkey with gravy.

The average cook time is about 4 hours. Prep should take you 30 minutes. Let me know if you try this out and how it works for you!