A butter mixture with fresh sage, garlic, and salt makes this roasted turkey super moist. I’ve got an easy turkey brine that gives it tons of flavor. This is the easiest and best Thanksgiving turkey recipe ever! Originally posted November 3, 2014.

sliced roast turkey with rosemary and fresh cranberries on a green platter.
Table of Contents
  1. Mouth Watering Sage Butter
  2. How to make the BEST Roasted Turkey
  3. Herb Roasted Turkey tips
  4. Butter Turkey Recipe storage
  5. What to pair with Herb Butter Turkey
  6. Herb Butter Turkey Recipe

I have fond memories of going to my great Aunt Pauline’s for Thanksgiving every year as a child. The division of labor was always the same: Pauline and my Grandma Georgia were in charge of everything savory, and our family (ahem, my mom) was in charge of baking a thousand pies.

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Two military wives in hula skirts and bras on VJ Day.

Here’s Aunt Pauline and Grandma Georgia, having a V-J Day Party in August 1945. Both of their husbands served in WWII. Aren’t they awesome??

I didn’t grow up making turkeys, but I mean it’s kind of an essential skill if you want to be American/awesome, because let’s be real, roasted turkeys are freakin delicious. My mom came over last week so that we could roast one together. She brought Grandma Georgia’s roasting pan that she inherited. We’re guessing it’s nearly 70 years old. (This is when we all chime in “they just don’t make ’em like they used to!”)

whole roast turkey on a green platter.

I love this Sage Butter Roasted Turkey because it is simple, no fuss, and tastes amazing. It has all the classic Thanksgiving flavors you love, and turns out moist and tender every time. I like to keep it simple when it comes to the turkey. Easy sage butter rub, a bag to roast it in, and voila. Thanksgiving is busy enough, right?

Sage butter roast turkey on platter.

Mouth Watering Sage Butter

This roasted turkey recipe is from my cousin Lani, who is an amazing and very instinctive cook. I only had to text her 3 times during the making. The butter rub is made with sage, salt and garlic, and it was a wrench to rub it on the turkey when all I wanted to do was slather it on bread. Don’t be scared to rub butter under the skin. It’s kinda weird at first but you will get over it, especially after you taste it.

Herb roasted turkey on a platter with fall flowers and mini pumpkins in the background.

How to make the BEST Roasted Turkey

Ready to make a turkey so moist, tender, and flavorful you’ll amaze yourself? Let’s do this.

How to Brine a Turkey

I love brining my turkey! It’s my favorite low-difficulty way to get the bird full of delicious herby flavor. Brining isn’t hard, it just takes planning ahead. If you have patience and a little time you’re good to go.

Fresh herbs, salt, and spices on a wooden cutting board, herb brine in a pot.
Here’s everything you need. It smells so good!

My turkey wasn’t completely covered; I just turned it about 2/3 of the way through the brine time. Don’t brine your turkey too early; 18 to 24 hours will do ya. Much more than that and your turkey will taste over seasoned and have a mushy texture, no thanks. I like to make my brine on Tuesday night, let it cool overnight, then put the turkey in the brine Wednesday morning. Then it’s ready for roasting Thursday morning.

Brining a turkey in stockpot.
don’t mind me just chillin in the bath

If you have a small enough turkey you can brine it in a pot, like I did here. But on other years I’ve had too big of a turkey for a pot. So I use the double oven bag method. I put the turkey and brine in an oven bag, seal tightly, then put it in another oven bag and seal tightly. (By “tightly” I mean like several rubber band and maybe some twisty ties for good measure.) I put it in my roasting pan in the fridge. (obviously you need a container in case the bag breaks! That would be so sad! It’s never happened to me though!) You will need to turn it more often if you choose this method.

How to make Sage Butter for Oven Roasted Turkey

What herb screams Thanksgiving more than any of the others? SAGE!

Fresh sage on a wooden cutting board.

Here’s how much I used for the butter rub. Look at all this glorious velvety-ness.

Chopping sage and garlic on a wooden cutting board.

Chop it up nice and fine. Then top with kosher salt and minced garlic. Use the side of your chef’s knife to smash and grind the salt and garlic into the sage, forming almost a paste. Add this glorious mixture to your soft, soft, soft butter and stir it up. Feel free to save out a dollop at this point and try it on a freshly baked roll. YUM.

Mixing herbs into butter.

How to put butter under Turkey Skin

This step feels weird, but I promise it’s worth it. Gently separate the membranes between the skin and the meat, and jam your hand way down in there. You can do it. Be careful not to break the skin, but also remember that it’s pretty tough stuff and it harder to rip than it looks. Use about half the sage butter under the skin, and the rest on the outside, all over the bird.

Stuffing butter under the skin of a whole turkey.

How to Roast a Turkey

I like to stuff my bird with aromatics like onion, apple, carrots, and any extra herbs you have. It brings tons of flavor to your turkey! And make sure to use a meat thermometer to make sure it’s cooked all the way, and so that you don’t overcook it! Dry turkey is a tragedy indeed.

Here’s a quick overview of how to roast a turkey. Scroll down to the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

  1. If you are using a frozen turkey: thaw it in the fridge for a few days before you brine it. Allow one day of thawing for every 5 pounds of meat. Do not brine a frozen turkey. (It won’t absorb the brine).
  2. To make the brine: several hours or even the day before you want to brine the turkey, cook the brine. Combine all ingredients in a very large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Turn off the heat. Let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate it if you are not using it right away.
  3. To brine the turkey: unwrap your turkey in a clean sink. Remove the neck and the giblets. Rinse the turkey with cold water. Place the turkey in a large pot or bucket and cover with cooled brine. You can do this in a turkey oven bag that is well sealed (You still need a large bucket or pot for it to sit in though.) If the turkey is not all the way covered, you can add a little more water to the brine. Flip the turkey 2/3 of the way through brining. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, then remove the turkey to a clean sink. Discard brine. Wash the turkey with cold water, or soak for 15 minutes to remove the brine. Remove your turkey from the sink and pat dry with paper towels. 
  4. To prepare the turkey for roasting: wash your hands and make the sage butter. Use your hands to separate the skin on the turkey breast from the meat. Rub about half of the sage butter under the skin. Rub the rest on the outside and inside of the turkey. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and stuff the turkey with aromatics: carrot, the celery, apple, onion, thyme, rosemary and sage. Return the turkey legs to the plastic trussing, or tie together with kitchen twine. Add the remaining carrots and 2 cups of water to the bottom of the roasting pan, underneath the rack. Tuck the wings under the back of the turkey. Place the turkey in the roasting bag, then on a rack in a roasting pan, on top of the carrots. Seal the bag and cut a few slits in the top. Place the roasting pan on the lowest rack of your oven. Make sure your thermometer is visible through your oven window.
  5. Roast the turkey: set a timer for 2 hours and 15 minutes. After that, check your turkey every 5 minutes with a meat thermometer. It needs to be 165 degrees in the breast.
  6. Prepare the roasted turkey: remove the turkey from the oven and let it sit without opening the bag for at least 15-25 minutes. Cut the bag open and use old oven mitts to transfer the hot turkey to a cutting board. Discard the aromatics. Carve the turkey. 

How long to Roast a Turkey

The general rule of thumb for cooking turkey is 13 minutes per pound at 350. That calculation may be accurate, but here’s my advice: do the math and then subtract 30 minutes. That’s not when you’re pulling the turkey out of the oven, that’s when you start checking it with a thermometer to temp it. 

For example: this recipe calls for a 12-14 pound turkey, and we’re cooking it for 2 hours and 15 minutes. After that, you’ll check your turkey every 5 minutes with a meat thermometer inserted in the breast to make sure it is 165 degrees. Once it hits that magic number, get it outta there. No one wants an overcooked bird!

Turkey in oven bag with pop-up thermometer.

Also, don’t bag on my bag. It’s so easy, and a great option for beginners. You can totally use this sage-butter rub but then roast it however you like. The breast-down instructions on my first turkey are a little more involved (you have to flip a hot turkey) but it does make for one delicious bird.

Carved up roasted turkey on platter with rosemary and cranberries.

Here is the final roasted turkey. It’s so tender and moist thanks to all that butter! I always get so nervous roasting turkey but it’s actually easier than it sounds. Don’t throw out your turkey carcass after carving! Save it to make this Turkey Stock from the Bones. It makes the best soup! (Like this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup.)

Herb Roasted Turkey tips

In charge of roasting the turkey this year? It’s ok, I got you. I’m holding your hand. We’re going to do this together. Here’s what you need to remember:

  • Allow time for a frozen turkey to defrost. You need a whole day in the fridge for every 5 pounds of turkey. Let’s do the math: if you bought a 25 pound turkey, you need to let it defrost for 5 days. That’s BEFORE you start brining. 
  • Cool your brine before you use it. If you put a turkey in warm brine, it’s going to absorb a lot more salt. No one wants a super salty turkey.
  • Don’t over brine your turkey. After 18-24 hours, you need to get the turkey out of the brine, or it’s going to be too salty. 
  • Use a roasting bag. It’s not cheating, it’s smart! Roasting bags keep your turkey moist, let you skip basting, speed up your cooking time, AND even make cleanup easier.
  • Cook your turkey to 165. The competing goals when cooking a turkey are safety and moistness. At 165, you’re safe and you’ve avoided drying out your turkey, hurray! 

What do you cover a turkey with when roasting? 

A turkey roasting bag is Thanksgiving’s best friend. If you’re thinking “What?? Aren’t turkey roasting bags for amateurs?” you’re wrong. They’re for anyone who wants an incredible turkey with a lot less effort. Here are the top 3 reasons I use a turkey roasting bag:

  • They’re self-basting. Remember how your aunt was always opening the oven every 20 minutes to squirt juice on your turkey with a turkey baster? Yeah no way. We’re not doing that. Every time you open the oven, you’re lowering the temperature, which means it will take longer for your turkey to cook. Also, who wants to spend their entire Thanksgiving day squirting juice on their turkey? Not me. Not you. 
  • They speed up your cooking time. Dinner sooner? Sign me up. Your entire Thanksgiving guest list will thank you. 
  • They lock in moisture. A bagged bird is a tender bird. If the moisture is trapped inside the turkey roasting bag, it can’t evaporate away into the oven.

Butter Turkey Recipe storage

It’s important to refrigerate your turkey within 2 hours of pulling it out of the oven. You don’t want to get sick off your Thanksgiving leftovers! Avoid putting all your turkey in one giant container; if it’s still warm, it won’t cool down quickly enough in the fridge to stay safe. 
Freezing turkey for later is awesome too. I like to give my future self a gift and cut it up into the size of pieces that I’ll want to use. For example, if I’m making this Creamy Turkey Rice Soup, I just cut the turkey up into bite size pieces.

Enjoy getting ready for the holidays, guys! I love this time of year!

What to pair with Herb Butter Turkey

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Herb Butter Turkey

5 from 12 votes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 15 minutes
Resting Time: 18 hours
Total: 20 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
A butter mixture with fresh sage, garlic, and salt makes this roasted turkey super moist. I've got an easy turkey brine that gives it tons of flavor. This is the easiest and best Thanksgiving turkey recipe ever!

Ingredients

For the brine:

  • 1 & 1/2 gallons water, 24 cups
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons peppercorns
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, mashed and roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons rosemary, fresh, roughly chopped*
  • 3 tablespoons parsley, fresh, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sage, fresh, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons thyme, fresh, roughly chopped

For the butter rub:

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 large bunch of sage, chopped fine
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt

For the Turkey:

  • 12-14 pound turkey, fresh or frozen and thawed
  • 5-7 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 large stalk celery, roughly chopped
  • 1 apple, quartered
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2-3 sprigs thyme
  • 2-3 sprigs rosemary
  • 2-3 sprigs sage

Materials needed:

Instructions

  • If you are using a frozen turkey, thaw it in the fridge for a few days before you brine it. Allow one day of thawing for every 5 pounds of meat. Do not brine a frozen turkey. (It won’t absorb the brine).
  • Several hours or even the day before you want to brine the turkey, cook the brine. You need time to let it cool down completely; a warm brine will make the turkey absorb too much salt.
  • To make the brine, combine all ingredients in a very large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Turn off the heat. Let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate it if you are not using it right away.
  • Unwrap your turkey in a clean sink. Remove the neck, which is usually in the main cavity, and the giblets, which are usually in a bag in the other end. (Save for turkey gravy/turkey stock.) Rinse the turkey with cold water.
  • Place the turkey in a large pot or bucket and cover with cooled brine. You can do this in a turkey oven bag that is well sealed (You still need a large bucket or pot for it to sit in though.) If the turkey is not all the way covered, you can add a little more water to the brine. Mine wasn’t completely covered and it was fine. Either way, be sure to flip the turkey 2/3 of the way through brining so that it brines evenly.
  • Refrigerate for 18-24 hours. Don’t do it much longer than that or your turkey will get mushy and taste over seasoned.
  • Remove the turkey to a clean sink. Discard brine. Wash the turkey with cold water, or soak it in a plugged up sink for 15 minutes. You want to make sure to get all the brine off of it. The brine has already done it’s work to tenderize the turkey meat, you don’t need the salt on the outside.
  • Remove your turkey from the sink and pat dry with paper towels. (Clean your sink with bleach). Do your best patting it dry, you may need to keep grabbing more paper towels.
  • Wash your hands and make the sage butter. Add the 2 sticks butter to a medium bowl. Finely chop the sage on a cutting board. Crush and mince the garlic and place it on top of the chopped sage. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use the side of a chef’s knife to smash the sage, garlic, and salt together until everything is incorporated. (See photos below)
  • Add the mixture to the bowl with the butter and combine.
  • Use your hands to separate the skin on the turkey breast from the meat. This is easier said than done. You will have to break apart some membrane-y feeling stuff and you have to be pretty forceful. Try not to tear the skin, of course. Try to get your hand as close up to the neck as you can.
  • Once you have gotten your hand under the skin, grab a fist full of sage butter and rub it under the skin. Use a lot, maybe close to half. Rub the rest of the outside and inside of the turkey with the sage butter until it is gone. Make sure you turn the turkey over and get the back, wings, legs, etc. The butter doesn't stick to the skin very well, but do your best.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Now it’s time to stuff the turkey with aromatics. You won’t be eating the stuffing, it’s just for flavoring. If your turkey is trussed with plastic, carefully remove the turkey legs from the plastic so that you have easier access to the cavity. Stuff in 1 roughly chopped carrot, the celery, apple, onion, thyme, rosemary and sage. Return the turkey legs to the plastic trussing, or tie together with kitchen twine.
  • Add the remaining carrots and 2 cups of water to the bottom of the roasting pan, underneath the rack.
  • Tuck the wings under the back of the turkey, like it's got its arms behind its head laying out on the beach. (Here’s a good demonstration.)
  • Get someone to hold open the turkey bag for you while you place it in.
  • Place the bagged turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, on top of the carrots. Seal the bag and cut a few slits in the top. Place the roasting pan on the lowest rack of your oven. Make sure your thermometer is visible through your oven window.
  • Set a timer for 2 hours and 15 minutes. After that, check your turkey every 5 minutes with a meat thermometer. It needs to be 165 degrees in the breast.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven and let it sit without opening the bag for at least 15-25 minutes. (This is a good time to use the freed oven for warming other dishes.)
  • Cut the bag open and use old oven mitts to transfer the hot turkey to a cutting board. Discard the aromatics. Carve the turkey. I like this tutorial from Alton Brown.
  • Save the turkey carcass for homemade turkey stock. Then make this Creamy Turkey Rice Soup!

Notes

*When you are buying your herbs, buy 1 (.75 oz) box thyme, 1 rosemary, and 2 sages.
This recipe can easily be doubled for a 20+ pound turkey.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 778kcal | Protein: 119g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 398mg | Sodium: 618mg | Potassium: 1237mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 309IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 5mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 778
Keyword: butter, roasted, sage, Turkey
Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

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Comments

  1. Hi! My turkey came pre brined in a 6% solution of turkey broth, vinegar, salt, sugar, and “natural flavors”. Would you skip the brining step ?

    1. Yes I would skip it Jo! Otherwise you could end up with a very salty turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. This looks wonderful!!!
    I plan to roast a whole turkey breast for Thanksgiving — the biggest one I can find. Is it okay to brine the breast? Should I decrease the brining time to accommodate for the smaller ”heft” of the breast?
    Can’t wait to try the sage butter!!!
    Thank you for your guidance!!!

    P.S. will report on results!

    1. Hi Elizabeth! Yes you can totally brine the breast, anywhere from 12-24 hours is recommended, not longer! Enjoy!!

  3. 5 stars
    My go to turkey recipe. We tried for the first time ever last year and it was a big hit. Doing it again for Christmas this week. Thank you so much!!

  4. 5 stars
    ❤ Post-Thanksgiving dinner after-glow (more like Food-Coma)…as I sit & digest I just HAD to come full-circle to thank you: ABSOLUTELY LOVED your Sage butter roast turkey, brined it almost 24 hrs, cooked it in the oven bag chock full of aromatics! AWESOME! SOO GOURMET!
    Can’t believe I cooked something that tasted sooo fancy! Thanks for making these undertakings seem so do-able!
    As I was prepping the bird, I was reminded of my mom…so many foods have gone by the wayside since her passing, i.e. leg of lamb…used to be our Easter dinner, but I’ve no idea how to cook or carve it, so I won’t waste all that money and risk it being a waste! But for Thanksgiving it’s always been a turkey, and I wasn’t about to let that go by the wayside, so now I know I can take-on a turkey successfully! She would have loved you sage butter bird!! And I never would have believed the bird would brown in an oven bag, but you’re right, it came out beautifully browned!!
    Thanks again, hope your Thanksgiving was delish!!

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