Juicy Roasted Citrus and Herb Turkey
Say goodbye to dry, underseasoned turkey this Thanksgiving! If roasting a whole bird intimidates you, this recipe will show you how easy it actually is to make perfectly moist and juicy turkey every time. My family loves this citrus stuffed turkey and I’m confident it’ll become your go-to whole bird recipe. What makes it so great?
The aromatics and citrus fruits stuffed into the cavity of the turkey infuse it with flavor from the inside out and add moisture. The citrus flavor is more subtle and not overbearing and it’s nicely balanced from the herbs and garlic. You can scale this recipe to suit any size turkey. The citrus herb butter can be prepared 2 days in advance to reduce your prep work on the big day. There’s minimal basting or babysitting involved once the turkey is in the oven!
If you love a traditional herb-roasted turkey at Thanksgiving, this citrus variation is a play on my classic recipe. It has all the same comforting flavors of a classic roast turkey, plus citrus fruit flavors to add that little something “extra” that will have your guests coming back for seconds!
Ingredients for Roast Citrus Turkey
Ever wondered what you’re supposed to put in a turkey cavity? This recipe uses aromatics like fresh citrus fruits and herbs, which add both flavor and moisture to the roast turkey. Gather the following to roast the herb and citrus turkey:
For the turkey:
Whole turkey – fresh if you can get your hands on one, or a frozen bird that you’ve properly thawed* (see my Tip below) Onion – I used a white onion, but yellow works too Lemon Orange Fresh rosemary sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs Fresh sage Kosher salt and pepper – to taste Water – or use chicken broth
For the citrus herb butter:
Unsalted butter Lemon zest – zest the same lemon you’ll be cutting up to stuff in the cavity Orange zest – zest the same orange you’ll be cutting up to stuff in the cavity Fresh rosemary leaves Fresh thyme leaves Fresh sage Garlic Kosher salt Ground black pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Roast an Herb and Citrus Turkey
I recommend putting the turkey in a roasting dish or pan so that any raw turkey juices that seep out of the packaging don’t drip down the inside of your fridge. Yes, you will need to clear a big space in your fridge, there’s no way around it unless you’re lucky enough to have a second fridge. There are ways to get around this IF you’re willing to deal with cold water baths. For each pound of turkey, allow about 30 minutes submerged in a large bucket or tub of cold water. So your 15 pound bird will take about 7 1/2 hours to thaw. However (and for me this is the big no!) you need to change the water every 30 minutes! You’ll also need to have a place to put a big bucket, heavy objects to keep it submerged, and then deal with all that used water, and water changing all day long, every 30 minutes – a full time job no one needs! Best to simply plan ahead and just thaw it in your fridge, starting at least 4-5 days before Thanksgiving. I also like to build 24 hours of cushion into my thawing time, too. Nothing ‘bad’ will happen if it sits in your fridge an extra day! Much worse would be try to roast a not-quite-thawed bird. Bad idea because it won’t cook properly. You cannot just let it thaw on your counter because leaving meat out for longer than 2 hours is considered unsafe. Bottom Line: By Monday of Thanksgiving week, that bird ought to be in your fridge thawing. (Tuesday possibly if your bird is small, in the range of 10 pounds) The roasting process for this ultra moist citrus stuffed turkey can be condensed into five straightforward steps:
Recipes to Make Using Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey:
ALL OF MY THANKSGIVING RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Easy 30-Minute Turkey Noodle Soup — Have leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Make this turkey soup! It’s easy and tastes like grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup, but with turkey! Turkey Tetrazzini — Wondering what to do with your leftover Thanksgiving turkey? This rich casserole features al dente spaghetti, a decadent cream sauce, tender vegetables, cheese, and of course your extra turkey! Easy Turkey Pot Pie — Wondering what to do with that leftover turkey from the holidays? Make this easy turkey pot pie recipe! It’s hearty, creamy, comforting, perfect for chilly weather, and EASY to make! Hawaiian Roll Turkey and Cheese Sliders — Juicy turkey, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce all nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls that are brushed with butter and topped with poppy seeds for the BEST turkey sliders! Turkey Wild Rice Soup — Take advantage of leftover holiday turkey, and make this rich, creamy, and very hearty soup! Made with an array of vegetables, seasonings and herbs, and of course plenty of wild rice and turkey! EASY, ready in an hour, and made in one pot! Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Crescent Rolls — Looking for a recipe to use a variety of your Thanksgiving leftovers? These stuffed crescent rolls are QUICK and EASY to make using leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy! Thanksgiving Crunchwrap Supreme — Not sure what to do with all of those Thanksgiving leftovers? Turn them into Thanksgiving Crunchwraps! A soft flour tortilla and crunchy corn tostada base is piled high with your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more before sealing them, toasting, and dunking them in gravy.
