Momma’s Favorite Holiday Turkey is a unique twist on how to make your Thanksgiving turkey, but once you try it, you’ll wonder how it hasn’t caught on yet! The trick is to use an herb-mayonnaise mixture all over the bird, helping to ensure the savory poultry is as juicy and flavorful as possible! Stuff it with butter (because who can say no to that?) and veggies, and every bite of Momma’s Favorite Holiday Turkey becomes a feast unto itself! Thanks for sharing the best turkey just in time for Thanksgiving, Mom!
Ingredients
- 1 (12-14-pound) whole turkey, completely thawed (if frozen)
- 7 fresh sage leaves, rough chopped
- leaves of 6 fresh thyme stems
- leaves of 3 sprigs rosemary
- leaves of 3 sprigs oregano
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 3 stalks celery, rough chopped
- 1 large onion, rough chopped
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- gravy, optional, to taste, cooked and warm, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lay the turkey in a roasting pan.
Step 3 –In a small bowl, add the sage, the thyme, the rosemary, the oregano, and the mayonnaise and combine well.
Step 4 –Rub the herb-mayonnaise mixture all over the outside and the interior of the bird.
Step 5 –Season the turkey with the salt and the pepper, inside and out.
Step 6 –Add the celery and the onion to both the inside of the turkey and around the outside of the turkey in the roasting pan.
Step 7 –Add the butter to the cavity of the turkey.
Step 8 –Roast the turkey for 30 minutes.
Step 9 –Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Step 10 –Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, being careful not to touch the bone.
Step 11 –Continue roasting the turkey until the thermometer reads 165 degrees F, about 1 hour 30 minutes-2 hours. Make sure to check that the breast of the turkey also reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Step 12 –Transfer the turkey and cover it loosely with foil.
Step 13 –Let the turkey rest, covered, for 20-30 minutes.
Step 14 –Carve and serve with the gravy.
