Ingredients:

  • 12-14 lb whole turkey, thawed completely
  • 3 tbsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
  • 1 bunch fresh poultry herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the dry brine by mixing 3 tbsp Kosher salt, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cracked black pepper, and 1 tbsp brown sugar.
  2. Remove giblets and pat the turkey extremely dry with paper towels. Rub the dry brine mixture all over the skin and inside the cavity. Place the turkey on a rack over a tray and refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours.
  3. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting to reach room temperature. In a small bowl, whip 1 cup softened butter with minced rosemary, sage, thyme, grated garlic, and lemon zest.
  4. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs. Spread half of the compound butter directly onto the meat under the skin, then rub the remaining butter over the outside of the skin.
  5. Fill the turkey cavity with the quartered onion, halved lemon, halved garlic head, and the bunch of poultry herbs.
  6. In a large roasting pan with a V-rack, add 2 cups of chicken broth, chopped carrots, and celery. Place the turkey on the rack.
  7. Roast at 325°F (160°C) until an instant-read meat thermometer reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast, approximately 13-15 minutes per pound.
  8. If the bird is at temp but the skin looks a little pale, turn on the broiler for the last 2 to 3 minutes. Watch it like a hawk.
  9. Remove the bird from the oven and transfer it to a warm platter or a clean cutting board. Let it rest for at least 30 to 45 minutes. Do not tent it with foil during the rest, or the steam will soften that beautiful skin you worked so hard on.