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It’s finally time for Turkey Talk!! I LOVE this herb and butter roasted turkey with white wine pan gravy.
Like November is here! I have only been waiting for this day since like, the beginning of August! I am such a freak, I mean who starts thinking about the holidays in the heat of the summer? Basically what I’m trying to say is that this post has been a long time coming.
While everybody was enjoying all the things that go along with October, I was roasting turkeys, mashing potatoes and eating Thanksgiving dinner. Or well, at least towards the end of October I was. I try to be on top of things, but then somehow I always fail.
UGH.
But hey! I got the turkey made and um, I am pretty dang happy with it. I mean, come on. Doesn’t it look perfect?!?!
It is!!
Ok, so here’s the deal. When it comes to the holidays, I am all about traditional. I love traditions and to be honest, I don’t like breaking them. That said, I do love to switch little things up just a little with things like side dishes and desserts. But the turkey?
The turkey has to be classic. Herbs and butter. Nothing fancy, nothing overdone. Just classic, simple and delicious flavors.
For as long as I can remember, my mom has always cooked the Thanksgiving bird. Even last year, she cooked the turkey. She is a good turkey roaster and we had a good thing going. I’d do the sides + desserts + apps and she handled the turkey…although last year, I do recall that she and my dad were out hiking for most the time the turkey was cooking leaving me to tend to it.
Actually, as I recall, she and dad were still hiking when people began arriving for dinner. Typical.
Anyway, I love my mom’s classic turkey, so I took inspiration from her, read a whole bunch online and then made some turkeys (yup plural, and I still have three more to make between now and Christmas). And you guys, I swear by this turkey you see here today.
It’s perfection and I could not be more excited about it.
As you can read from the title, Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy, my turkey is simple and traditional. Pretty sure it doesn’t get much more classic than this.
Just the way I like it.
The secret to my turkey is a butter soaked cheesecloth. I read about this method of cooking the bird in this month’s Food and Wine. The second I read about it, I knew I had to try it. It’s flipping genius!
You soak a layer of cheesecloth in melted butter (mine is full of fresh thyme, sage, parsley and lemon zest!) and then drape the butter soaked cheesecloth over the bird. Then you roast the turkey with the cheesecloth ON the bird. The cloth protects the skin from burning all while basting the turkey with butter the entire time it roasts.
Genius I tell you, and the skin comes out perfect, the meat is incredibly moist and the flavor is spot on! You do not even need to tent the bird with foil, the butter soaked cheesecloth works magic guys and it could not be easier.
Soo the gravy though?!? My mom has alway has always had trouble with gravy. Like it was either clumpy, too thin or flavorless. I get it, gravy can be hard, but this pan gravy will make your life simple. Nothing too tricky and it gets made in the very same pan you roast the turkey in. Hello less dishes – YES!
Plus, the flavor is out of this world. It’s all about those pan drippings. 🙂
So are you excited yet?? Are you going to start planning Thanksgiving? It’s T-minus twenty days away and I have then next couple weeks packed with my personal Thanksgiving menu. Think sweet taters, pies, cookies, mashers, casseroles, salad, bread and the works. I may even throw a few drinks your way this holiday season too.
Wait, question: are we into drinks? Like cocktails? With booze? Let me know.
It’s gonna be a really good November. But since Turkey is the star of the show, I figured I would start there.
Next up are the apps, sides, desserts and a couple easy dinners too (you know cause we all gotta eat between now and the big day – duh!).
YUM. Did you break out the stretchy pants yet, cause I think it may be time. I am full-force (like intensely so) in all holiday GO mode, so excited!
SIDE NOTE: My dad asked, since we had turkey in October, if that meant we could skip it at Thanksgiving. I practically looked at him like he was insane. I mean, what??!? Who skips the turkey on Thanksgiving? Guys, he is out of his mind I tell ya. Like losing it BIG TIME.
Or he’s just a giant Scrooge, thinking a combo of both actually.
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy.
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 671 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 (14-16) pound turkey, giblets and neck removed
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, plus more for stuffing the bird
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, plus more for stuffing the bird
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 piece large of double lined cheesecloth
- 2 lemons, halved
- 1 garlic head, tips sliced off
- 1 onion, halved
- 7-8 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth
White Wine Pan Gravy
- 1 cup white wine
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- drippings from the turkey
- 2-3 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth, as needed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Remove the turkey from the fridge one hour before roasting. Remove the giblets + neck and allow to come to room temperature.2. Make the butter. In a medium bowl, combine the 1 stick butter, the sage, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper. 3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan.4. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper and fill the cavity with the, lemons, garlic and onion. Gently lift the skin of the turkey by using your fingers and going in between the skin and body of the bird. Rub the herb butter under the skin of the bird, spreading some of the butter on top of the skin as well. Take the remaining 1 stick butter and melt it over the low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Dampen your cheesecloth with warm water and squeeze dry. Submerge the cheesecloth in the melted butter, making sure all the cheese cloth has soaked up the butter. Lay the cheesecloth over the bird, covering most of the bird. Drizzle any remaining butter over the turkey.5. Pour 4 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting plan. Place the roasting pan in the oven and roast for 45 minutes at 450 degrees F. After 45 minutes reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and continue cooking for another 2 hours (until the turkey registers 160 F. on a meat thermometer), adding 1-2 cup of broth half way through roasting. I like to baste the turkey with the drippings 2 times throughout cooking and when doing so rotate the roasting pan.6. Remove the turkey from the oven and remove the cheesecloth, transfer the turkey to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil and let rest 20-30 minutes before slicing.7. Make the gravy. Strain the liquid from the roasting pan, skimming off most of the fat. I like to pour the broth into a 4 cup measuring cup and then place in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps the fat rise to the top of the surface. Once you have skimmed the fat, add enough broth to equal about 4-5 cups total of drippings/broth.8. Place the roasting pan over two burners and add a splash of wine (about 1/2 cup) to deglaze the pan. You want to scrape up all those brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Once the pan is throughly deglazed, add the butter and once melted, add the flour whisking to combine. Cook stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden, around 5 minutes.9. Increase heat to medium high and add the remaining 1/2 cup of white wine, whisking as you go to let the wine reduce down. Slowly add reserved broth, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the sage and cook, continuing to stir, until the gravy has thickened to your desired thickness, around 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm with the turkey.
Notes
To save a little time, you can prepare the compound butter up to a week in advance. Just store, covered in the fridge until ready to use.
Here is the cheesecloth I use.
That picture? It makes you happy and excited, right?? I know, me too!!
This post was originally published on November 2, 2015
Made my turkey this way this year for our annual Friendsgiving and for my family. The turkeys came out AMAZING! I’ve tried all different methods but this was the best!
Thank you so much Andie!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
There is no need to use any other recipe, cookbook or online site than this one! I made this recipe for Thanksgiving yesterday and it did not disappoint! Golden turkey, moist meat, the herbs weren’t over powering (along with the lemons, garlic, and onions stuffed inside). This will be going in the family recipe book with proper mention of HBH for all the glory!
Oh, the gravy! I made the base on Tuesday and was thanking the heavens I did. It made the gravy process easypeasy and the gravy boat was passed around repeatedly bc everyone wanted more.
Side note: be careful in pulling off cheesecloth. Mine ripped some meat off a leg and then I went very slowly.
Wow thank you so much Kate! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
My first time ever making a turkey! My gravy came out a bit darker but it was still delicious!!! Thank you for all your hard work, I love your recipes & that you post them all!! I am asking for your book for Christmas!
I am so glad this turned out so well! I hope you love the book if you get it!! xTieghan
This was the first year I was in charge of the turkey: I made this recipe and could not have asked for it to turn out better. It was awesome! The gravy was great, the bird was crispy and delicious through and through. I’m already telling people they need to try this cheesecloth method next year! Love it!
Yes! So glad this recipe turned out so well for you Katie! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
This was amazing!! My husband, who does not like white meat, even complimented how juicy and flavorful it was! I just wanted clarification – you said plus more for stuffing on the sage and thyme but then didn’t include them on the stuffing step, am I right in assuming in the future that those go in with the lemons, garlic, and onion? Also, should the cheesecloth be in the broth at all? towards the end I had some extra soggy cheesecloth which I think affected the crispy-ness of the skin.
Hi Allie! Yes, the additional herbs go in with the lemons and garlic. Sorry I will adjust the recipe! And ideally the cloth shouldn’t be sitting/soaking in any of the the broth. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
My 8.5 pound bone in turkey breast turned out great! I started to doubt the cheesecloth part way through but the turkey turned out beautiful and so moist and delicious! Thanks for a fun recipe!
SO happy to hear that Libby! Thank you for trying this recipe! xTieghan
I have 11 pound turkey…. and suggestion on time. I figured do 45 minutes at 450. After turning it to 350, check after an hour.
Help! My partner is stressed!!!!
Hi Robert, I recommend googling this for the most accurate cooking time, but from what I have read you need to cook you bird for a total of 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 45 minutes at 425 and the remaining time at 350. Please use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Happy Holidays!! xTieghan
Do you think this recipe would work in a slow cooker if I keep a close eye on it and baste? Or would it dry it out too much…..I currently do not have an oven and need to be creative:) Thank you for all of your recipes! I have loved every single one I’ve tried! Happy holidays!
Hi Jennifer, yes the turkey will work, but I don’t recommend. I have not tested the recipe for the slow cooker so I don’t have accurate cooking times or directions for you. You would also not need the cheesecloth for the slow cooker. I would recommend finding a turkey recipe that is directed for the slow cooker for best results. Hope that helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions.Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Hi! Could I put the compound butter on the turkey the night before. Then melt the remaining butter, soak the cloth and bake next day? If I make the butter ahead of time I would need to let the butter come to room temp before I could put on turkey…. Or do you suggest warming on low power in microwave instead of putting the butter on the night before? Thanks so much!!
Hi! Yes, you can put the butter on the turkey the night before, that works well. However, I would recommend just making the butter the night before, leaving it on the counter over night, then seasonings up the the turkey before cooking. This will work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Hi!! So I’m going to be making your recipe tomorrow and was wondering what the cooking time would be for a 12 lb turkey? Do I cut off time from the 45 mins when it’s at 450 degrees or when it’s at 350 degrees if that makes sense? Really excited to make this! Pressures on me bc I convinced my husband that I don’t need to brine?!
Hi Sheila! I recommend googling this for the most accurate cooking time, but from what I have read you need to cook you bird for a total of 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 45 minutes at 425 and the remaining time at 350. Please use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Hi! Looking forward to making this tomorrow. Do you put the turkey on the roasting rack in the pan, or no? Two different photos (no rack with cheesecloth, rack with finished product) kind of tell different stories to this newbie!
Hey Libby! I prefer to use a roasting rack if you have one. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Can you tell me if this will work in an electric roasting pan??
Hi Shiloh! I have not made this with an electric oven, but other readers have and have had success!! I think it should work just fine. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Hi! Do you use the roasting rack for this recipe? I see it in one of your pictures but another looks as if the bird is sitting directly in the pan. Thank you!
Hi Heather! Yes, I use the roasting rack. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Hi! I’m excited to have found your website. I was wondering if you use the roasting rack to roast your turkey or just place the turkey directly inside the roasting pan?
HI! I like to use the roasting rack. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
If I have turkey double the size then should I double the cooking time .? Or if it is about 25 pounds
Hi Megan! Yes, you will need to increase the cooking time. I recommend googling this for the most accurate cooking time, but from what I have read you need to cook you bird for a total of 4 1/2 to 5 hours. 45 minutes at 425 and the remaining time at 350. Please use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan