Herb Roasted Turkey is the ultimate Thanksgiving recipe. If you’re hosting the big holiday this year, you’re going to want to put a tasty bird on the center of your table and this classic roast turkey is guaranteed to impress.

Is there anything better than turkey on Thanksgiving? This is the best roast turkey recipe I’ve ever made and I know you’ll love it, too.

OXO has provided me with free products to use and display in this #OXOTurkeyDay post. I was not compensated financially and all opinions are my own.

I think not, but that’s just my own personal opinion. Some people like to have ham or steaks or even lasagna. For me, it has been and will always be a turkey kind of day.

This time of year there are no shortage of turkey recipes around to choose from. Every November, I’m amazed by how many ways there are to cook their holiday bird.

I’ve always been a roasted turkey girl myself.

Roast Turkey Recipe

I know that nowadays, people have different ways of preparing their Thanksgiving turkey. Lots of folks I know fry it or turn the bird upside down which allows the juices to seep into the breast keeping it moist.

Another trend is leaving the bird unstuffed.

Me, I’ve got to roast it the old-fashioned way, right-side up. I love it covered with flavorful herbs and always, always stuffed.

It’s just the way I do it and the way I was raised. Cooking the Thanksgiving meal this way brings back memories of the women in my family who cooked plenty of turkeys before me.

And I haven’t regretted it since I made my first one years ago. I’m so excited to share my beloved Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe with you this holiday season!

SAVE THIS ROASTED TURKEY RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Today for this incredible turkey recipe (if I do say so myself) I’ve teamed up with OXO to bring you some products that will help make this Thanksgiving easier for you. The great thing is, YOU could WIN the products I used to put this turkey dinner together! Pretty cool, huh? Details and entry will follow the recipe.

Roast Turkey Recipe

Alright, let’s get started on this bird, shall we?

First, you’re going to need to start with a turkey, of course. Mine was on the smaller side, seeing as how there are now only three of us in the house as opposed to the usual five, but you can use any size turkey you like.

I’m not really big on pictures of raw meat, but I feel that you need to see this bird’s before because you’ve already been privy to his…or her (I have no clue, but don’t want to be gender bias) transformation picture above.

*Disclaimer: This bird was not photoshopped. All fat, curves, wrinkles, sags, bony appendages, and dimply skin was left as is.

The bird pictured above has been rinsed in a cold water bath and had a good pat down with some paper towels. That part’s important. It’s the beginning of his spa day and prepares him for what’s to come.

Also, be sure to remove the bags from the cavity of the bird. I didn’t do that one year. Oops! Be sure to check the large cavity down at the legs which was where I found a bag of gravy (SCORE!) and the neck, and up at the top where you may possibly find the bag of organs – liver, kidneys, and heart.

(Is this the most appetizing food writing you’ve ever read or what?)

Some people discard the organs, others cook them up and shred them to put into the gravy. What you do with the bonus innards is up to you.

Today, let’s focus on turning this less-than-pretty raw bird into delicious, golden roasted Turkey Dinner bliss.

Before you stuff the bird (if you even you don’t decide to stuff it), you’re going to make up a bouquet of fresh herbs. This OXO Perfect Cut Twine Dispenser sure did come in handy for that!

The twine easily moves around the base as you pull it, doesn’t move on the counter when you do, and even has a recessed blade that cuts it neatly. The blade can also be removed for easy cutting after you take any wrapped meat out of the oven.

Stick that bouquet into the bird to allow the flavors to penetrate the inside. Or if you prefer, put it into the roasting pan about an hour before you’re due to remove it from the oven. This will flavor the drippings!

I can’t tell you what a difference the herb bouquet makes in the meat! It’s such a simple thing to do but, in my opinion, results in the very best tasting roasted turkey each and every time.

You’re going to mix all those fresh herbs together along with the salt, pepper, and canola oil and you’re just going to slather that mixture all. over. that. bird.

He’s getting there.

While this lovely guy is in the oven, you’re going to bathe him with this baster! He’ll love the feeling as the drippings move over his hot body.

Ok, a little much? Sorry.

I love to baste and became carried away at the thought because OXO’s Angled Baster made it so easy! The angled tip is able to pull up more drippings than other basters I’ve used. I loved that I could just set it on the counter afterward using its built-in stand. It also comes with an angled brush for cleaning and the bulb can be removed as well.

Once he’s had his day in the oven, you can easily transfer him from roasting pan to platter with the OXO Poultry Lifter. I don’t have to use my spatulas anymore! That wasn’t pretty and I always thought I’d drop the thing. This lifter goes right into the cavity and can transport (not on long journeys, mind you) up to 24 pounds.

Once you’ve moved the turkey and are ready to go ahead with the gravy, use the OXO 2 Cup Fat Separator. It comes with a stopper to keep fat out of the spout and a shield/strainer to prevent gravy from spilling and to catch any clumps you might not want in your gravy.

Also, be sure to use the OXO Stainless Steel Butter Dish at the table to butter those delicious rolls you’ll be having with this incredible turkey. May I recommend these Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with a dish of cinnamon honey butter?

Finally, it’s time to slice and serve your beautiful Herb Roasted Turkey!

HOORAY!

I love mine with a generous helping of gravy on top although this turkey recipe really is moist and flavorful enough to enjoy without any dressings or extras.

Thanksgiving Recipes

When you have a turkey as delicious as this one at the center of the table you’re going to need some KILLER side dishes to match.

Both Vanilla Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Roasted Cheesy Potatoes have been big hits as Thanksgiving side dishes at my house. Last time I made Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes for a holiday dinner, they disappeared so fast that I hardly got to taste any myself!

If you love maple flavor with your meal, you should also give Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts a try.

Check out these Thanksgiving side dish and dessert ideas for even more inspiration . . .

Whether you like your sauce jellied or made from whole berries, I have a tasty Cranberry Sauce recipe for you to try. You can’t skip the cranberry sauce, folks–it’s tradition!

We also liked these Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Bites and I think they make a fantastic appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other dinner party.

Cheese lovers will enjoy this Cauliflower Gratin and this Baked Apple and Cheese Casserole.

When it’s time for dessert you can never go wrong with Pumpkin Pie topped with Homemade Cool Whip, although I personally love No-Bake Pumpkin Nutella Cheesecake and Apple Cream Pie.

Bacon Caramel Apple Crisp and Best-Of-All Pecan Pie are two more all time favorite desserts that would be perfect to make for Thanksgiving this year.

Do you have enough recipes yet? What can I say, I get VERY EXCITED around holidays that are all about food.

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What’s your favorite way to cook a turkey?

Try this roasted turkey recipe with herbs and let me know how you like it!

Created by: Lynne Feifer