Name: The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 to 10 pound turkey (thawed); 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 2 tablespoons salt; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp dried basil; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp dried thyme; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp onion powder; Ground black pepper (to taste); 2 lemons (quartered); 2 oranges (quartered); 3 to 4 shallots (roughly chopped); 15 to 20 cloves of garlic; Large bundle fresh thyme and rosemary; 1/2 cup butter (for basting); 1 cup chicken broth (for the pan); 1/2 cup butter (for gravy); 1/2 cup flour (for gravy); 2 to 3 cups chicken broth (for gravy); Turkey drippings (from pan); Salt and pepper (to taste for gravy)

If you’re on the hunt for something truly special this holiday season, I’ve got you covered with The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe. This turkey comes out incredibly juicy, packed with rich garlic butter flavors, and seasoned just right to steal the show at any dinner table. Trust me, after the first bite, you’ll understand why this recipe has become a staple in my kitchen and why I can’t wait to share it with you.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredible Flavor: The garlic butter and herb mix infuses every bite with mouthwatering richness.
Perfectly Juicy: This method keeps your turkey moist without drying it out.
Impresses Every Time: Guests will rave about your bird, making your Thanksgiving unforgettable.
Simple Yet Show-stopping: Easy to prep with pantry-friendly spices and fresh herbs.

A whole roasted chicken with golden brown, crispy skin sits on a large white plate, stuffed with fresh green herbs like rosemary and thyme and thick pale onion slices inside. The plate is decorated with bright orange slices, light yellow lemon wedges, small green apples, clusters of green berries, and red cranberries, all placed on green leaves that cover the bottom of the plate. The surface beneath the plate has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this recipe lies in the carefully chosen ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Fresh herbs and citrus brighten the rich garlic butter, while the spices create depth in every delicious bite.

Turkey: I recommend using an 8 to 10-pound turkey; it’s the perfect size for this recipe and feeds a cozy group.
Unsalted butter: Softened, so it easily blends with your herbs and spices to make that incredible garlic butter spread.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out moisture for juicy meat.
Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that enhances the turkey’s natural flavor.
Dried basil, oregano, thyme: Classic herbs that bring aromatic depth to the dish.
Garlic & onion powder: These powders pack a punch when fresh garlic isn’t concentrated enough alone.
Ground black pepper: For a dash of heat that balances the buttery richness.
Lemons and oranges: Quartered citrus adds a lovely zesty brightness when placed inside the bird.
Shallots: Roughly chopped, they offer a gentle sweetness to complement garlic.
Garlic cloves: Tons of fresh garlic to infuse bold flavor throughout the meat.
Fresh thyme and rosemary: A large bundle gives fresh herbal notes that can’t be beaten for a holiday turkey.
Butter for basting: Keeping the skin golden and crisp.
Chicken broth: To keep the pan moist and help catch turkey drippings for gravy.
Flour: For thickening the beautiful gravy made with those turkey drippings.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this garlic butter turkey recipe depending on who’s joining me or what I have on hand — don’t be afraid to make it your own! Playing with variations keeps things fun and allows you to bring your unique touch to the Thanksgiving feast.

Herb Swap: Sometimes I swap out dried herbs for fresh ones, especially if I have fresh sage or marjoram handy — it adds an even more vibrant flavor.
Citrus Punch: Adding a splash of orange juice to the pan broth brings a slightly sweet tang to the drippings, which transforms into a fantastic gravy.
Spice Heat: If you like a little kick, a pinch of cayenne or chopped fresh chili pepper mixed into the garlic butter works wonders.
Larger Turkey: For bigger birds, I simply scale up the garlic butter and stuffing ingredients by about 1.5x, ensuring consistent flavor throughout.

How to Make The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Garlic Butter Herb Spread

Start by softening your butter until it’s super spreadable—I usually leave it out for about an hour before prepping. Mix the butter with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and your dried herbs. This seasoned butter is the heart and soul of the recipe. I like to whip it up in a bowl using a fork until all the flavors are beautifully blended.

Step 2: Prep Your Turkey for Maximum Flavor

Pat the turkey dry—this step is super important for crispy skin. Then gently loosen the skin over the breast and rub a generous amount of garlic butter underneath, right onto the meat. I usually do the same on the legs and thighs if I can. Tuck those quartered lemons, oranges, chopped shallots, garlic cloves, and fresh herb bundles inside the cavity. It smells like heaven already!

Step 3: Roast and Baste Your Turkey

Place your turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan, and then spread any remaining garlic butter all over the skin. This not only flavors the skin but helps it get that irresistible golden crisp. Roast in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 3 hours, basting every 30-40 minutes with melted butter and chicken broth. This keeps it moist and juicy—my family goes crazy for how tender this turkey turns out!

Step 4: Rest and Make Gravy

Once the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C), take your bird out and tent it loosely with foil, letting it rest for 20-30 minutes. This rest period is crucial—I learned the hard way that carving too soon leads to dry meat. Meanwhile, use the pan drippings along with some butter, flour, and chicken broth to whip up a rich, velvety gravy that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

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Pro Tips for Making The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Butter Softening: Always let your butter soften at room temp—this helps it spread easily under the skin without tearing.
Gentle Skin Loosening: Slide your fingers carefully between the skin and meat, especially on the breast, to avoid ripping.
Consistent Basting: Set a timer to baste every 30-40 minutes to keep moisture locked in and skin crispy.
Resting Time: Resist the urge to carve right away—resting is key to juicy, tender turkey slices.

How to Serve The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

A whole roasted chicken with golden brown, crispy skin sits in the middle of a white plate, garnished with green rosemary sprigs and orange slices placed around the edges of the plate. Bright red cranberries and small green leaves are scattered close to the chicken, adding splashes of color. The chicken’s legs and wings are tucked in slightly, showing even cooking and a textured, slightly shiny surface. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a blue and yellow striped cloth partially visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to finish the turkey with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme laid on top for a vibrant look and extra aroma. A sprinkle of finely chopped parsley adds a fresh pop of color that makes the whole dish feel inviting. Occasionally, I add thin slices of roasted garlic on top for garlic lovers like me!

Side Dishes

To complement the rich flavors of the garlic butter turkey, I usually serve classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, and my family’s beloved green bean almondine. A tangy cranberry sauce pairs beautifully, cutting through the richness for the perfect balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to carve the turkey tableside and serve it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by roasted citrus slices and herb sprigs. Sometimes, I arrange leftover turkey slices into a festive wreath shape for a fun, unexpected presentation that always delights guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying the big meal, I let the leftover turkey cool completely, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge. Wrapped tightly, it typically stays fresh and juicy for up to 4 days. Pro tip: slice it before storing for easier reheating later.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover turkey, wrapped well in freezer-safe bags or containers, and it keeps great for up to 3 months. When thawing, I do it slowly overnight in the fridge to keep the meat tender and flavorful.

Reheating

For reheating, I usually warm slices gently in a covered dish with a splash of chicken broth to keep them moist, either in the oven or microwave. This method helps maintain that delicious garlic butter flavor without drying the meat out.

FAQs

Can I use this garlic butter recipe for a bigger turkey?

Absolutely! For turkeys larger than 10 pounds, simply increase the garlic butter and seasoning quantities by about 1.5 times to ensure every bite is flavorful and moist.
How do I make sure my turkey skin gets crispy with this recipe?

Patting the turkey dry before applying the garlic butter and basting regularly during roasting helps promote crispy skin. Don’t cover it with foil while roasting to keep the skin crisp.
Can I prepare the garlic butter spread ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the garlic butter a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature before spreading it under the turkey skin.
Is this recipe suitable for cooking turkey breast only?

Definitely. While this recipe shines with a whole bird, you can easily adapt it for turkey breast by adjusting cooking times and using the same garlic butter spread for maximum flavor.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this recipe delivers on flavor and juiciness every single time. When I first tried The Best Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe, it quickly became the star of our family dinners—everyone kept asking what my secret was! Cooking a turkey can seem intimidating, but with this easy-to-follow method and those little tips I’ve shared, you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece on your table without stress. Go ahead and give it a try this holiday—your family will thank you, and so will your taste buds!