JUICY HERB-ROASTED TURKEY

Juicy Herb-Roasted Turkey image

Add wonderful flavor to your turkey dinner through the use of delicious herbs. Make sure you use the drippings for a delicious gravy!- Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 3h20m

Yield 18 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

8 fresh sage leaves plus 4 fresh sage sprigs, divided
6 fresh thyme sprigs, divided
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
4 medium onions
5 celery ribs
5 medium carrots
3 medium parsnips

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325°. Chop 8 sage leaves and leaves from 2 thyme sprigs. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup oil, garlic, salt and pepper with chopped herbs. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks., Cut onions into wedges and the celery, carrots and parsnips into 2-in. pieces. Place about a fifth of the onions, celery and carrots in the turkey cavity; add 4 sage sprigs and remaining 4 thyme sprigs to cavity. Arrange remaining vegetables evenly in a roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, over vegetables. Brush with remaining 1/4 cup oil., Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 170°-175°, 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly. Cover and let stand 20 minutes before carving. Discard vegetables. If desired, use drippings to make gravy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 466 calories, Fat 25g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 191mg cholesterol, Sodium 266mg sodium, Carbohydrate 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 56g protein.