Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey is simple and delicious! A whole turkey with rosemary and sage tucked between the turkey skin and breast is stuffed with apples, onion and garlic and roasted to perfection. Once roasted it is then brushed with apple jelly for a sweet simple glaze. This recipe will serve about 10 to 12.
I made the most incredible turkey last weekend.
I’m a little behind on my thanksgiving posts because Malloree was under the weather and between the doctors visits and trips to the pharmacy, I got behind. However it’s not too late to schedule this turkey for your Thanksgiving. It’s super easy and the results are perfection.
Minced fresh rosemary and sage is tucked along with butter under the skin of each breast. Then apple, onion, garlic and celery are stuffed in the cavity before tying the legs and brushing the entire turkey with melted butter. You can never go wrong where butter is involved.
But the best part is that after the turkey has roasted, you brush it with apple jelly for a touch of sweetness that pairs amazingly well with the herbs. Pan drippings make pretty darn good gravy too. But that’s a whole other post.
To Make This Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey You Will Need:
- whole turkey
- sage
- rosemary
- butter
- apple
- onion
- celery
- head of garlic
- apple jelly
How Long Should You Thaw A Turkey For?
To thaw a 12-pound turkey, you will need 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds. In other words, plan on 3 to 4 days. Keep the turkey in it’s original packaging and place in your fridge to thaw safely.
Basic Tools you Will Need When making a turkey:
- roasting pan (with a rack preferably)
- kitchen string
- turkey baster
- instant read thermometer
- fat separator (if making gravy)
How Long Does It Take To Roast A Turkey?
For a 12 to 14 pound turkey it takes 3 to 3 hours and 45 minutes OR until a doneness temp of 170° taken in the thickest part of the thigh.
Move your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (160℃).
Then finely chop 1/4 cup each fresh sage and rosemary and combine them together.
Remove the neck and gizzards (set aside if using for gravy or stuffing) and pat your turkey dry (inside and out) with paper towels. Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin away from the turkey breast.
Creating little pocket.
Divide the herbs among each breast “pocket” and stuff two tablespoons of salted butter in each one as well. Try to get it as far into the breast pocket as possible.
Secure the skin with a toothpick.
Next prep the aromatics. Cut an apple into fourths (I’m using a honeycrisp), cut the onion, garlic and celery ribs in half.
Place the turkey, breast side up, onto a roasting rack that’s set into a roasting pan. Stuff the turkey with the apple, onion, garlic and celery.
Secure or truss the legs with kitchen string.
Tuck the wings under the turkey.
Brush the entire turkey with with melted butter.
Slide the turkey into the oven with the legs at the back of the oven and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Once that time is up, remove the turkey and baste it with the drippings from the pan.
If your turkey is getting too brown too quickly, cover with foil.
Keep in mind, where the herbs are it will look darker.
Continue roasting for another 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 170℉ to 175℉ (or 76℃ to 79℃) when an instant thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the thigh.
GORGEOUS! And it smells heavenly.
Carefully transfer your turkey to a carving board.
Heat up 1/2 cup apple jelly.
And brush your turkey with the warm apple jelly.
Cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 minute or up to 1 hour.
Serve, carve and prepare to fall in love.
What To Serve With Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey?
- cinnamon roasted hot honey sweet potatoes
- sausage and cornbread stuffing
- gravy
- mashed potatoes
- dinner rolls
Enjoy! And if you give this Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey
Ingredients
- 12 pound turkey, completely thawed if frozen
- 4 tablespoons cold salted butter
- 1/4 cup minced fresh sage
- 1/4 cup minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 medium honeycrisp apple, quartered
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved
- 1 head garlic, halved
- 1 rib celery, halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup melted salted butter
- 1/2 cup apple jelly, warmed
Equipment
- All-Clad Large Roaster stainless steel with nonstick rack
Instructions
THAW YOUR TURKEY:
- Remove your turkey from the freezer and place it in the fridge 3 to 4 days to thaw prior to roasting your turkey.
MAKE YOUR TURKEY:
- Start by moving your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (160℃).
- Remove the neck and gizzards (set aside if using for gravy or stuffing) and pat your turkey dry (inside and out) with paper towels.
- Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin away from the turkey breast. Creating little pocket.
- Divide the herbs among each breast “pocket” and stuff two tablespoons of salted butter in each one as well. Try to get it as far into the breast pocket as possible.Secure the skin underneath the breast with a toothpick.
- Place the turkey breast side up onto a roasting rack that’s set into a roasting pan. Stuff the turkey with the apple, onion, garlic and celery.
- Secure or truss the legs with kitchen string. Tuck the wings under the turkey.
- Brush the entire turkey with with melted butter.
- Roast your turkey for 1 hour 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
- Once your turkey has roasted for the hour and half, remove and baste with the turkey drippings.
- Continue roasting for another 1 hour up to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 170℉ to 175℉ (or 76℃ to 79℃) when an instant thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Carefully transfer your turkey to a carving board and brush with warm apple jelly before tenting with foil and resting for 30 minutes.
- Carve your turkey and serve.
This recipe wass adapted from Taste of Home.
Buy the Cookbook: Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy Now available on Amazon »
THANK YOU in advance for your support!
Your recipes never disappoint! I followed this turkey recipe yesterday and it was so good. The apple jelly glaze was a delicious finishing touch!