Ina Garten's Roast Turkey with Truffle Butter
I have used this method of roasting turkey for many years. I love that I don't need to brine the turkey, and it still turns out juicy and delicious! Truffle Butter might sound a bit pretentious, but I've found it at my local Costco for a reasonable price. There's an added tip-- and it works! That is, you don't need to keep basting your turkey. That way, you'll have golden and crispy skin.
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1 12 to 14-pound fresh turkey, with giblets removed
- 3 ounces white truffle butter room temperature
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Large bunch fresh thyme
- 1 large onion unpeeled and cut in eighths
- 1 whole head garlic unpeeled and cut in half crosswise
- Good olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Drain any juices from the turkey and place it on a flat rack in a large, shallow roasting pan. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Working from the large cavity end, gently run your fingers between the skin and the meat to loosen the skin, taking care not to tear the skin. (Be careful not to do this with rings on your fingers!) Place the softened butter under the skin and gently massage the skin to spread the butter evenly over the whole breast.
- Sprinkle the cavity generously with salt and pepper. Place half of the thyme sprigs in the cavity along with the onion and garlic. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tie 1 length of string around the bird and the wings to keep the wings close to the body.
- Brush the turkey with olive oil, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Remove 1 tablespoon of thyme leaves from the stems, chop them, and sprinkle on the turkey. Roast the turkey for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until an instant-read thermometer placed in the center of the breast registers 160°F. If you want the skin to be crisp, don't baste the turkey at all! About halfway through, when the breast is golden brown, cover the breast loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the skin from burning.
- Remove from the oven, cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Carve and serve with the pan juices.