Southern-Style Holiday Turkey

Southern-Style Herb Butter Turkey — tender, juicy, and full of flavor! Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, this easy roast turkey recipe delivers golden skin and that cozy holiday aroma everyone loves.

Description

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a turkey roasting in the oven — golden skin, buttery herbs, and that unmistakable aroma that means the holidays are here. This Southern-Style Herb Butter Turkey is juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and seasoned with garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage. It’s simple enough for a first-timer yet flavorful enough to impress your whole family.

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner, this cozy classic will fill your kitchen with warmth and memories that last long after the leftovers are gone. Finish your feast with a slice of Sweet Potato Pie or Hummingbird Cake — true Southern favorites.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours (for 12–14 lb turkey) Servings: 10–12

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped

• 1 onion, quartered

• 1 lemon, halved

• 2 cups chicken broth or stock

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 325°F. Adjust the rack so your turkey will sit in the center of the oven.

2. Make the Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Mix until smooth.

3. Prepare the Turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Gently lift the skin over the breast and spread the herb butter under and over the skin. Tuck wings under and tie legs together with kitchen twine.

4. Stuff & Roast: Place the onion and lemon halves inside the turkey cavity. Set the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan and pour broth around the bottom.

5. Roast the Turkey: Roast for about 3 hours, basting every 30–45 minutes with pan juices. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

6. Rest Before Carving: Remove from the oven, tent with foil, and let rest 20–30 minutes before carving.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair this turkey with my Sweet Potato Casserole for the perfect mix of savory and sweet.

• Add Southern Biscuits to soak up the flavorful gravy.

• For a crowd, serve alongside Brown Sugar Glazed Ham for a holiday feast everyone will remember.

Tips for a Perfect Turkey

• Room Temp Butter: Let your butter soften so it spreads easily.

• Don’t Over-Baste: Every 30–45 minutes is plenty — opening the oven too often drops the temperature.

• Crispy Skin Trick: For extra-crispy skin, broil for the last 3–5 minutes (watch closely!).

• Leftovers: Shred leftover turkey for sandwiches or soups the next day.