Dinner: Herb-Roasted Turkey

Recipe by /contributors/sam-sifton This is a good option for cold-weather Thanksgivings eaten under threatening skies, since the combination of herbs and citrus provides a house-filling aroma that speaks to sunniness. Garnish with some remaining sprigs o

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Herb-Roasted Turkey

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1 12-14-pound turkey, giblets and neck removed, at room temperature for 1 hour
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 medium onion, quartered
1 orange, quartered
1 lemon, quartered

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 °F. Set a rack inside a large roasting pan. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Rub bird inside and out with salt and pepper.
Place turkey on the rack in the pan. Using a fork, mix butter, lemon zest, rosemary, sage, and thyme in a small bowl. Rub herb butter over top of turkey and inside cavity.
Place onion, orange, and lemon inside turkey cavity. Tuck tips of wings under bird (this prevents them from burning during the long roasting time). Pour 4 cups water into pan. Roast turkey, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 °F. Baste turkey with pan juices; add more water if needed to maintain at least 1/4" liquid in the bottom of roasting pan. Continue roasting turkey, basting every 30 minutes and tenting with foil if skin is turning too dark, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of the thigh without touching bone registers 165 °F (juices should run clear when thermometer is removed), about 2 3/4 hours total.
Transfer turkey to a platter. Tent with foil and let rest for 1 hour before carving.