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This is the only guide you’ll ever need to make the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will wow friends and family! Cooking turkey doesn’t have to be intimidating… simply follow this easy turkey recipe for tips on how to thaw, brine, rub, roast, and serve your bird. Then, dish up your easy herb butter roasted turkey with all your favorite Thanksgiving recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
- Moist, tender meat
- Perfectly crispy skin
- Garlicky herb butter flavor
- Simple ingredients
- 10 minutes active prep time
- All the tips you need for brining and roasting the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe
- Lots of ways to use leftovers

Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for herb butter turkey, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Turkey & Brine:
- Whole Turkey – Pastured Thanksgiving turkeys taste great if you can find them, but you can use whatever variety (fresh or frozen) that works best for the number of guests you have. See the charts below for thawing times and how much turkey for Thanksgiving you’ll want to prepare per person. Check the cavity of the turkey for giblets and be sure to remove them.
- Water – For the turkey brine.
- Salt -You’ll need a large amount of salt for the turkey brine. I highly recommend kosher salt because it dissolves easily (and is more cost effective), but sea salt can also work if needed.

SCIENCE: Why brine turkey?
The right salt concentration in the water will:
- Create an imbalance between the moisture in the turkey and outside of it, causing the turkey to draw in more water through osmosis
- Dissolve the muscle proteins (so they don’t contract and squeeze out moisture during cooking)
- Season the turkey all the way through the inside
As for other turkey brine ingredients, salt is actually all you need! Salt particles are much smaller than anything else you can put into a brine, so they will more readily pass into the meat than any herbs, spices, or broth. Save those for the cooking process instead.
Herb Butter:
- Butter – Any unsalted variety can work to make compound butter for turkey, but I like using a higher quality one to make this dish extra special.
- Fresh Herbs – This herb butter recipe for turkey uses sage, rosemary, and thyme, but any herbs for turkey would taste delicious! (You can use a variety of herbs, citrus juice, and aromatics. See this compound butter recipe for more ideas.) I highly recommend using fresh herbs here, but if you must, you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried herbs for each tablespoon of fresh. See more seasoning ideas below.
- Garlic – Turkey butter tastes best with fresh garlic, but jarred minced garlic will work if you need to save time.
- Lemon Zest – Adds a touch of bright flavor to herbed butter for turkey. Zest it fresh from a lemon.
- Salt & Pepper

How To Cook Thanksgiving Turkey In The Oven
This section shows how to make roasted turkey for Thanksgiving, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Brine. Stir together water and kosher salt in a large stock pot. Add turkey to the pot, making sure it’s submerged, and brine in the refrigerator for at least 10-12 hours, or up to 48 hours.
- Make herb butter. Mash together butter, sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper.


- Season. Drain the water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey into a roasting pan on top of a rack. Gently separate the turkey skin from meat, and spread the half of the herb butter under the skin and the other half over the top of the bird. Be careful not to tear the skin.

TIP: Don’t have a roasting pan?
You can place the turkey on a bed of onions (coarsely chopped into large pieces) instead, which will elevate the bird similar to a rack.
- Roast. Roast for 45 minutes uncovered, then tent with foil and continue roasting until it’s done. Check the Thanksgiving turkey time chart below for recommended times depending on the size of your turkey.
- Rest. For the best juicy roast Thanksgiving turkey, resting is important to let the juices settle. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board to prevent overcooking, tent with foil, and let it rest for at least 10-20 minutes before serving.



TIP: Avoid covering turkey too tightly.
This will ensure that the skin stays crisp. However, if foil ends up touching the bird and the skin isn’t as crisp as you like at the end, you can always broil it for a couple of minutes to crisp it up.
How Long To Thaw A Turkey?
Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds, or 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30-60 minutes.
Here is a general guideline for how long to thaw a turkey based on weight:
Turkey Weight | Refrigerator Thaw Time | Cold Water Thaw Time |
---|---|---|
4-8 pound turkey | 1-2 days | 2-4 hours |
8-12 pound turkey | 2-3 days | 4-6 hours |
12-16 pound turkey | 3-4 days | 6-8 hours |
16-20 pound turkey | 4-5 days | 8-10 hours |
20-24 pound turkey | 5-6 days | 10-12 hours |
24-28 pound turkey | 7-8 days | 12-14 hours |
28-32 pound turkey | 9-10 days | 14-16 hours |
After your turkey has thawed completely, you can brine it.
What Temp To Cook Turkey?
Some people prefer cooking turkey low and slow, others blast the turkey and then reduce the temperature afterward. When using a garlic butter turkey rub, I recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F the entire time, which ensures that the butter won’t burn and that all of the portions of the turkey cook evenly. You’ll need to start with the turkey uncovered to roast the top, and then cover it to prevent burning.
How Long Do You Cook A Turkey?
Thanksgiving turkey cook time depends on size, oven temperature, and whether the bird is stuffed. For an oven temperature of 350 degrees F, calculate 12-16 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey and 14-18 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. During that time, roast turkey uncovered for 45 minutes first, then cover and roast for the remaining time.
The safe internal temperature for turkey is 165-170 degrees F, but you can remove it from the oven when it reaches 155 degrees F, as the temperature will continue to rise to 165-170 degrees F as it rests for 15-20 minutes. Test with a meat thermometer for doneness.
Here is a time chart for how long to roast turkey covered at 350 degrees F:
Turkey Weight | Roast Uncovered First For This Long | Then Cover and Roast For | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|
8 to 11 lb | 45 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours |
12 to 14 lb | 45 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
15 to 17 lb | 45 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours | 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 hours |
18 to 21 lb | 45 minutes | 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes | 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours |
22 to 25 lb | 45 minutes | 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours | 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours |
26 to 30 lb | 45 minutes | 4 hours to 4 hours 45 minutes | 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 hours |
Note: These times are for an unstuffed turkey. If your turkey is stuffed, add about 45 to 75 minutes to the covered roasting time (1 hour on average).

How Much Salt In Turkey Brine?
The right concentration of salt in turkey brine is about 6 percent of the water weight. For each gallon of water, that would be 1.25 cups Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt or 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp of Morton Kosher Salt, Real Salt Kosher Salt, or most brands of sea salt.
Here is a chart showing how much salt to use:
Turkey Weight | Water Volume | Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt | Morton’s Kosher Salt, Real Salt Kosher Salt, or Sea Salt |
---|---|---|---|
8 to 12 lb | 2 gallons (7.6 liters) | 2 1/2 cups (450 grams) | 1 3/4 cups (~438 grams) |
13 to 17 lb | 2 1/2 gallons (9.5 liters) | 3 1/4 cups (570 grams) | 2 1/4 cups (~563 grams) |
18 to 22 lb | 3 gallons (11.4 liters) | 3 3/4 cups (675 grams) | 2 3/4 cups (~688 grams) |
23 to 27 lb | 3 1/2 gallons (13.2 liters) | 4 1/3 cups (780 grams) | 3 cups + 2 tbsp (~781 grams) |
28 to 32 lb | 4 gallons (15.1 liters) | 5 cups (900 grams) | 3 1/2 cups (~875 grams) |

More Frequently Asked Questions
Make the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe with these tips in mind:
- Can you brine frozen turkey? You can, but it’s best to just thaw your turkey and then brine it after. If you must combine them, then only place your thawing turkey into the brine for no more than 48 hours, toward the end of thawing.
- How long to brine turkey? 8 to 12 hours is the sweet spot for how long to brine a turkey, but up to 48 hours is fine.
- How much turkey per person? Aim for 1 pound of turkey per person, or 1.5 pounds per person if you want leftovers. This accounts for bone weight too, so each person wouldn’t actually be eating an entire pound of meat.
- How to know roasted turkey is done? The best way to know that a roasted turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. A meat temperature probe is the best so that you don’t have to keep checking on it. Cook turkey until it’s 165 to 170 degrees F in the coolest part of the bird, which is usually the thickest part of the thigh. Be careful not to touch the bone when measuring the temperature, because this can skew the reading.

Leftover Roasted Turkey Ideas & Storage
You’ll probably be making this roasted turkey for Thanksgiving, but if you’re like most people, you’ll probably have leftovers.
- Store: Keep your easy turkey recipe leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Carve the turkey, let it cool, and freeze for up to 3 months.
How To Use Leftover Turkey:
Here are some ideas for what to do with leftover turkey:
- Leftover Turkey Casserole – My favorite way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, green beans, and cranberry sauce all in one dish.
- Soups – Turkey makes a great swap for chicken in soups! Try using it in chicken florentine soup or buffalo chicken soup. Or, use it in my leftover turkey soup recipe.
- Sandwiches – Use your favorite bread and add mayo, or even cranberry sauce. I make mine with keto bread.
- Salads – Add roasted turkey to just about any side salad to make it a meal, or just like in soups, swap turkey in place of chicken. Try it in cobb salad, caesar salad, or chicken salad. Or make my turkey salad recipe.

What To Serve With Roasted Turkey
If you plan to cook turkey for Thanksgiving, consider these easy pairings.
- Sauces – Oven roasted turkey tastes delicious with sugar-free cranberry sauce and gluten-free gravy (shown in the photo!).
- Veggies – Serve this easy turkey recipe with lightened-up sides like roasted green beans, carrots, or brussels sprouts.
- Starches – Mashed potatoes are a classic choice (shown in the photo), but you can also do roasted potatoes, roasted rutabaga, cauliflower stuffing, or mashed cauliflower.
- Thanksgiving Desserts – Healthy pumpkin bars, sugar-free pecan pie, keto pumpkin pie, and easy almond flour cookies always win over guests!
More Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
There’s more than one way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving… try these other easy ways, too.
Tools For Cooking Turkey
- Large Stock Pot – Light and large enough to brine your turkey, in quality stainless steel.
- Roasting Pan With Rack – The perfect pan for cooking turkey. A must!
- Meat Temperature Probe – Stick this into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, set the temperature, and it will beep when the herb butter turkey is ready.
Easy Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe
Easy Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
All you need to make roasted herb butter turkey perfectly! This easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe is juicy and flavorful, with crispy skin.
Recipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Turkey Brine:
-
In a large stock pot large enough to fit the turkey, stir together 2 gallons (7.5 L) of water and 2 1/2 cups (128 g) kosher salt. Submerge the turkey in the brine. Refrigerate for 10 to 12 hours.
-
When the turkey is done brining, drain the water and pat dry. Place the turkey onto a roasting pan with a roasting rack.
Garlic Herb Butter Turkey Rub:
-
In a small bowl, mash together the softened butter, sage, rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, lemon zest, sea salt and black pepper.
-
Use your hands under the skin of the turkey to separate the skin from the meat underneath. (Be careful not to tear the skin.)
-
Spread half of the butter all over the turkey underneath the skin. Spread the other half over the skin all over.
How To Roast Turkey:
-
Position the oven rack on a low position, so that there is enough room for the turkey. The top of the turkey should end up just slightly higher than the middle when placed in the oven later. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees F).
-
Place the turkey in the oven and roast. Check the roasted turkey time chart in the blog post for the amount of time to roast without foil and the remaining time with foil. For a 12 lb turkey, that's 45 minutes uncovered followed by about 2 1/4 hours covered. To cover, tent the top of the turkey with foil, shiny side out, making sure no turkey is peeking out, and return to the oven.
-
Check that the roasted turkey is done with a meat thermometer – it should read 165 degrees for the safest option. For the most juicy turkey, aim for 150-155 degrees, and then cover in foil immediately after removing from the oven. Let the turkey rest, covered in foil, for about 20 minutes to come up to 165 to 170 degrees before serving.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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76 Comments
Brooklyn
0Hi! I have a 16 pound turkey. How much kosher salt should I use? Your recipe says 2 1/2 cups for 12 pounds so I wasn’t sure if I should use more for mine since it’s a bit bigger.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Brooklyn, You can adjust the number of servings, and that will adjust the recipe to a 16lb turkey. For that size bird, I recommend 3 1/3 cups of Kosher salt.
Nancy Miller
0Thank you for your wonderful recipe! Turkey is a festive kind of food.
Jennifer
0Can I use a slow cooker ?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jennifer, A whole turkey won’t usually fit inside a slow cooker, but you could make this slow cooker turkey breast recipe.
Journa Liz Ramirez
0One of the easiest Thanksgiving recipes! We always have roasted turkey every year and we always enjoy its tenderness. So yummy! Thanks Maya for this wonderful recipe!
Greta
0Oh yes! I was looking for a recipe for Thanksgiving and I am excited to try this recipe. This is my first Turkey so I have double excitement.
Lisa
0This is our favorite roasted turkey recipe and is the one we use for Thanksgiving!
Wendy
0This was so good! I will make this again.
Lyn
0Hi Maya!! Love your recipes and the fact that you actually answer people questions! So, my question is…I’m not sure that my fridge is big enough to hold a turkey in a large pot of salt water. Can I brine the turkey in a pot in a large cooler? Lots of ice etc…etc…
Maya | Wholesome Yum
1Hi Lyn, Yes, that should work as long as you can keep the temperature in the cooler below 40 degrees F (and above 32 degrees so it doesn’t freeze).
Robert
0What a tasty recipe this was! Turkey turned out very moist and the seasoning was loved by all! Also, the gravy recipe was very easy to make. Thank you!
Paula
0Hi, I don’t have a roasting pot with rack, how else can I cook, Any ideas?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Paula, Any large roasting pan should work for this recipe.
S
0This is what I do to my turkey’s too. I may add a few more of the herbs and spices that you list.
Jody
0Hi is it possible to Brine it the day before and let it sit 12 hours after brining before cooking it?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Jody, Yes, as long as you keep it properly chilled in the fridge, this will work fine.
Rosie Soriano
0I have done this recipe for the last 5 Thanksgiving year but I always use the blast then slow oven cooking: 500 degrees for 30 mins then cover the turkey with aluminum foil and slow cook it on 350 degrees for 2-21/2 hours. It always comes perfect! This year I had only use 4 Turkey breasts on a 350 degrees for 2 hours slow oven cooking and came out perfect.
Barb
0Thanksgiving 2021, my daughter’s neighbor cut her time too close and could not find a turkey at the market and were going to go turkeyless. When our bird was cooked per this absolutely wonderful recipe a plate was delivered to the neighbors. We later found out that they were able to get a cooked turkey and was going to repay us with some of their turkey but after tasting our gift, she would have been embarrassed. Truly excellent!!
JC
0Smelled good cooking with garlic, but had no garlic taste when eaten.
Kristi
0I have always cooked my turkey in a cooking bag. Would that work for this recipe or would you recommend not using one?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Kristi, I don’t recommend cooking in a bag for this recipe.
Rachel
0DELICIOUS! I used a kosher turkey so didn’t brine the turkey since it’s already salted. I also used vegan butter and put a lemon and onion in the cavity with the herbs. Otherwise I followed the recipe and the time table was a life saver. Loved that I didn’t have to baste the turkey. Was so easy and everyone loved it!
Shaunte
0Trying this tonight. It’s in the salt water now. Going to cook tomorrow for thanksgiving 2020.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Glad to hear that, Shaunte! Would love to hear how you liked it!
Janie
0I am interested in dry brining but was wondering : how much salt, how long should I brine, and do I rinse the salt off before roasting? I have never done a dry brine before, but would like to try it. Thank you!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Janie, I recommend a wet brine. Here are the instructions for that: Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey.
christina
0Maya, what are your thoughts on using a convection oven for a turkey? I have this feature on my oven and wondering if I should try it? Thank you any feedback is appreciated.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Christina, A convection oven has a fan system that will circulate consistently hot air all throughout your oven. This creates even temperatures through your oven and can decrease cook time by about 25%. You can use this feature with roasting your turkey, but be sure you have a reliable meat thermometer that can tell you when to remove your turkey from the oven. Also, you will want to tent your turkey earlier. Convection ovens will cause your food to darken quicker, so be prepared to tent your turkey about 25-30 minutes into the baking process. Best Wishes!
Tina
0Hi! Great tutorial. Looking forward to trying it out. One question, do you put any type of liquid, like broth or white wine in the bottom of your pan?
Thanks!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Tina, Liquid at the bottom of the pan is not necessary. You are welcome to add some if you prefer, but for this recipe it’s not needed.
Denay DeGuzman
0What a great turkey tutorial! Your recipe directions are so helpful and complete. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
Angela
0SO much great information here. I can’t wait to try my turkey using your method on Thanksgiving. I like the addition of the lemon zest!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
0I’m starting to plan my Thanksgiving meal and this turkey recipe with the garlic and herbs sounds perfect to go with the rest of the dinner. Pretty straightforward too — I so appreciate that.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
0This is great for after dinner! Looks so good!
Jersey Girl Cooks
0This is a beautiful looking turkey! Thanks for all the tips! I don’t love to stick my hand in a turkey but will do it to get it well seasoned 🙂
Caroline
0I was thinking I had tomorrow’s Thanksgiving turkey out and thawing on time and everything is good, … but I’m not sure what to use for the brine. I don’t have a large enough stock pot, so the turkey doesn’t fit all the way. I thought I’d just use the roaster without the rack, but of course the turkey is taller than the sides of the roaster, so I can’t submerge the turkey. Anyone have any super-fast thoughts on the best way to make this work on very short notice? Thanks, and looking forward to eating this tomorrow!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Caroline, You can dry brine your turkey. Rub salt and any dried seasonings you wish to use on the outside of your bird. Let it sit overnight. Happy Holiday!
Bonnie
0I just did a turkey breast but a very large one and it was very moist and tender. I was a little worried because of the size but it turned out great! Thanks
CC
0I used this for our friendsgiving- and made my FIRST turkey. Our friends raved and asked how I made the turkey, so thank you for the recipe!
Also, how do you think this would be on a roasted whole rotisserie chicken? I may try this for our family Christmas. Thanks again!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi CC, Congratulations on your first turkey!! I’m so glad it was a success. Yes, you could definitely do the same with a roast chicken. In fact, here is a similar recipe for Crock-Pot Whole Chicken.
Alexa
0This looks great! Can it be used as a cook ahead recipe?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Alexa, This can be made ahead of time, but it will be difficult to re-heat in one piece. To re-heat, you will want to remove the meat from the carcass and use either a crock pot or low temp oven.
Vanessa
0Is it possible to follow this recipe and cook the turkey on an electric roaster?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Vanessa, Absolutely! Just be sure to adjust the cook time with to your electric roaster’s manufacturer would suggest.
Mr Strauss
0So you don’t need to baste the turkey as it cooks?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Mr. Strauss, No basting is necessary for this recipe.
Nellie Tracy
0Such a great way to prepare a turkey! I won’t ever go back to how I did it before!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Nellie! Thank you!
Abeer Rizvi
0All those tips are going to be so helpful this Thanksgiving! That’s a gorgeous turkey! Mmmm
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Abeer!
Meredith
0I cook turkey so infrequently, I feel like I am always having to relearn how to make the perfect roast turkey. Thank you so much for putting all this helpful information in one place!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Meredith!
Catherine Baez Sholl
0This post is packed with great information! My husband and I have an annual discussion about the weight of the turkey vs. the number of people. He tends to come home with 15 lbs turkeys for 4 people, lol. Definitely sharing this post with him, thanks!
Katrina
0Nothing better than a garlic butter combo on a bird!! This sounds amazing!
Renee D Kohley
0SO beautiful and classic flavors – I love Thanksgiving that way! Gorgeous bird! Happy Thanksgiving!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Renee! Happy Thanksgiving!
Laura
0Wow, you really thought of everything when you created this post. It’s such an AWESOME guide to everything turkey! And what a yummy recipe. I will be referring to this yearly 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Laura! I’m so glad it’s helpful and hope it will be each year!
Linda Spiker
0This bird is gorgeous! Perfection!
Megan Stevens
0I’m excited to try your recipe!! Thank you, it looks great! Plus the charts are great! 🙂
Cassidy
0I’ve only made 1 turkey many years ago. It’s so intimidating for me – I’d much rather make sides and dessert. I love all your info and how simple you made it, I might even give it a try this year!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I hope you will, Cassidy!
Hope
0Loving the garlic butter, what a great way to enjoy turkey! Thanks for sharing all of your tips!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Garlic butter makes everything better, Hope!
Jean
0Thank you for such a helpful guide! I’m always scrambling at the last minute when it comes to turkey to find out the best way to cook it, but this is exactly what I need.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Jean! Thanks for stopping by!
Shelby
0We always forget to thaw our turkey properly lol, the guide is helpful!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am glad, Shelby! Good luck!
Tessa Simpson
0Genius! Brining is KEY! This looks like perfection!
Joni Gomes
0Now THIS is the turkey recipe I’ve been looking for! Pinning this so we can make it for the holidays!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I hope you like it, Joni!
Raia Todd
0How could you go wrong with rubbing all that butter all over? Looks delicious!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Raia!
Yvonne Rivera
0Can I use this recipe for Turkey breast, it’s just the two of us. So we will buy a turkey breast. Garlic herb rub. I would appreciate a response. Thank you. Yvonne Rivera.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yes, this recipe calls for turkey breast. Thank you Yvonne!