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Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman

Citrus Herb Turkey

45 MINPrep Time
180 MINCook Time
10Servings
(3)
by Giada De Laurentiis
Beginner
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman
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Some years I like to do something interesting and different with the turkey, and some years I like to keep it classic - and when I'm feeling the latter, this is the recipe I turn to. The aroma of citrus, fresh herbs, and herbes de Provence give this turkey tons of that traditional, beautiful flavor.

Stuffing the cavity of the bird with citrus, onion and fresh herbs perfumes the entire bird and keeps it super juicy. Overall, this is a classic recipe you can't go wrong with for Thanksgiving.

citrus herb turkey
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Citrus Herb Turkey

Servings

10

Prep Time

45 minutes

Cook Time

180 minutes

Image of Citrus Herb Turkey

Ingredients

  • 1 14 to 15-pound turkey, neck and giblets reserved
  • 1 orange (cut into wedges)
  • 1 lemon (cut into wedges)
  • 1 onion (cut into wedges)
  • 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 6 fresh sage sprigs
  • 6 fresh oregano sprigs
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 cups canned low-salt chicken broth (approximate amount)
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. To make the turkey: Position the rack in the lowest third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
  2. Rinse the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a rack set inside a large roasting pan. Place the orange and lemon wedges, onion, and 2 sprigs of each fresh herb in the main turkey cavity. Tie the legs together to hold the shape of the turkey. Stir 2 tablespoons of butter, the herbes de Provence, oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of each the salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat just until the butter melts. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey and between the turkey breast meat and skin. Place the turkey neck and giblets in roasting pan. (Recipe can be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before roasting.)
  3. Cover the turkey breast with foil. Roast for 20 minutes. Pour 3 cups of broth into the pan and stir to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining sprigs of fresh herbs to the pan. Roast the turkey for 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the foil from the turkey, pour 1 more cup of broth into the pan. Continue roasting the turkey until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F to 175 degrees F or until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, basting occasionally with pan juices, about 1 hour and 30 minutes longer. Transfer the turkey to a platter and tent with foil. Let stand 30 minutes while preparing the gravy.
  4. To make the gravy: Strain the turkey pan juices from the roasting pan through a sieve and into a 4-cup glass measuring cup, discard the solids. Spoon off the fat from atop the pan juices. Add enough chicken broth, about 1 to 2 cups, to the pan juices to measure 4 cups total. Melt the remaining butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the broth. Simmer until the gravy thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the turkey with the gravy.

Nutrition

Nutrition

Nutrition Serving Size
10
per serving
Calories
0
Amount/Serving % Daily Value
Carbs
14 grams
Protein
105 grams
Fat
38 grams
Saturated Fat
13 grams
Cholestrol
358 milligrams
Sodium
919 milligrams
Fiber
4 grams
Sugar
3 grams
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5 comments

  • Author's avatar image
    Elisa - Jan 17

    My only go to recipe for many years. It’s simple and classic and the turkey is very juicy and flavorful. The presentation of how beautiful it cooks and looks is a plus. All the citrus, onions and herbs also make an amazing gravy. There’s no other recipe for Thanksgiving in our house.

  • Author's avatar image
    Paul Melgoza - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    I made this for Thanksgiving this year, and it was absolutely fabulous. I was unable to find fresh oregano sprigs, so I went with the standard thyme instead (i.e. rosemary, sage, and thyme), which worked out well. After the initial roasting at 400 degrees, I also dropped the temp to 325 vs 350 to be more in line with my desired serving time, since I had a couple of side dishes that I needed to prepare and a single oven. The turkey was incredibly moist, even after dinner was over and I sliced the rest of the meat for storage. Excellent recipe for turkey!

  • Author's avatar image
    Betty Thompson - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    My favorite recipe for roast poultry.

  • Author's avatar image
    Donna McCaulley-Gutierrez - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    Every year for Thanksgiving I use Giada's citrus turkey recipe and everyone raves how moist and delicious the turkey is. Thanks Giada. We LOVE IT!!!!

  • Author's avatar image
    Jeanette Burciaga - Jun 09

    This turkey recipe has been my go-to for Thanksgiving for over ten years. My family loves it. It’s simple and flavorful.

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