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Garlic Herb Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey Recipe

Garlic Herb Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 30 reviews

This Garlic Herb Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey recipe offers a flavorful and juicy holiday centerpiece. The marinade of fresh herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and creamy mayonnaise ensures tender and well-seasoned meat. Cooking the turkey initially at high heat locks in juices while slow roasting at a lower temperature finishes the cooking perfectly. The recipe includes a simple gravy made from pan drippings to complement the turkey.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12–14 lb. whole turkey (thawed completely)
  • 1 apple (peeled, core removed, and diced)
  • 1 large onion (rough chopped)
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter

Herb Mayonnaise Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons rosemary (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Zest from 1/2 lemon
  • 1½ cups mayonnaise

Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper

Gravy Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) to begin the cooking process with high heat, which helps seal in the turkey’s juices.
  2. Prepare Turkey: Place the fully thawed turkey into a roasting pan, ensuring it fits comfortably.
  3. Stuff Turkey: Add the peeled and diced apple, roughly chopped onion, and one stick of butter inside the turkey cavity. Then securely tie up the legs to keep the stuffing in place.
  4. Make Herb Mayonnaise Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped sage, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, lemon zest, and mayonnaise. Stir thoroughly to create a uniform spread.
  5. Apply Mixture: Generously lather the entire turkey, both outside and inside the cavity, with the herb-mayo mixture to ensure even seasoning and moisture.
  6. Season: Sprinkle the turkey liberally with coarse sea salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
  7. Start Roasting: Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast at 450°F for 30 minutes to create a flavorful crust.
  8. Lower Temperature and Continue Cooking: Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue roasting for 1½ to 2 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness—165°F (74°C) in the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.
  9. Rest the Turkey: Once cooked, cover the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  10. Reserve Juices: Collect the pan drippings for making the accompanying gravy.
  11. Make the Gravy – Combine Flour and Water: In a mason jar or small container, mix 1/4 cup flour with 1 cup water. Shake or whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
  12. Heat Drippings: Pour the turkey drippings into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat to warm.
  13. Add Flour Mixture: Slowly stir the flour and water mixture into the warmed drippings, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
  14. Cook Gravy: Continue stirring and cooking until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
  15. Season Gravy: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as preferred.
  16. Serve: Carve the rested turkey and serve with the homemade gravy. Enjoy your flavorful roasted turkey!

Notes

  • Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before cooking for even roasting.
  • The high initial oven temperature helps to crisp the skin and lock in moisture.
  • Using mayonnaise in the herb rub adds fat and moisture, helping tenderize the meat and create a golden crust.
  • Resting the turkey after roasting is key to juicy meat.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness and food safety.
  • Pan drippings can be strained before making gravy for a smoother texture if desired.
  • This recipe pairs well with traditional sides like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted turkey, garlic herb turkey, mayonnaise turkey, holiday turkey recipe, Thanksgiving turkey, homemade gravy

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/garlic-herb-mayonnaise-roasted-turkey-recipe/