This Honey Herb Glazed Turkey is an easy, flavorful turkey recipe with a hint of honey and herbs.
Make sure to check out all of my turkey recipes for even more ideas.
I have been food blogging for 5 1/2 years now. And I’ve been cooking for even longer. In all this time, I have never cooked my own turkey. It’s not that I don’t like turkey – it’s just that I always have wonderful family that take over the task. And I’ve gladly turned over the responsibility of the turkey, because let’s face it – a 16 lb. bird is pretty darn intimidating. But guess what?
The turkey was the easiest part of our meal.
Not kidding. I turned over the rolls and the pie to my mom, while I sat back with my feet up while the turkey roasted away. I cooked my first turkey breast last year, and was surprised at how easy it was. But the whole turkey was just as easy. I will no longer be scared to have a turkey turn out Griswold-style. I’m seriously betting this turkey is fool proof. (As long as you use your meat thermometer and you don’t keep the turkey in the oven for 8 hours!!)
I was a little worried that the gravy would be too sweet by using the drippings, but it was delicious. I loved everything about it, and wouldn’t change a thing!!
If you’ve never made your own turkey, this is a great place to start. The honey and the herbs compliment the turkey so well. And did I mention how easy this really is? 🙂
Just give yourself enough time to make the turkey. And make sure you thaw the turkey at the right time. It would be a travesty to still have a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving morning!
More Thanksgiving Recipes:
My Favorite Mashed Potato Recipe
Winter Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Cranberry Salad
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
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Honey Herb Glazed Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 16-lb turkey neck and giblets removed
- 1 onion quartered
- extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey in a large roasting pan. Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion.
- Brush the turkey completely with olive oil. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper and thyme. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours.
- In a bowl, combine the honey, melted butter, sage, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined. Baste the turkey with the mixture. Continue to cook the turkey until an instant-read thermometer reads 180F when inserted in the thickest part of the thigh, about another 2 hours. Continue to baste the turkey with the honey mixture as the turkey roasts.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and cover with foil. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme says
Yum! Seeing this turkey is getting me excited for Thanksgiving! I think I just may make this recipe for Thanksgiving. 🙂 Thanks for hosting.
Tumbleweed Contessa says
I love that most of your recipes use the herbs I love the most. It makes my mouth water. Thanks for hosting the party!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I am usually part of cooking the turkey but I don’t think I can say I’ve ever cooked one on my own. This looks amazing, though!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful turkey, I love the honey and the herbs!
Bree says
Wow-I don’t think I even knew what a blog was 5 years ago! 😉 Your turkey looks gorgeous and I really appreciate your shout out for my Baked Flautas!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
This looks incredible. I’m loving all the Thanksgiving recipes popping up on here every day. 🙂
Christie - Food Done Light says
I found you through Google +. Glad I did. Your turkey is gorgeous. Looking forward to following you on Facebook & Google +.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
When my hubby and I were across the country from family last year, I had to roast my very first turkey! And it seems totally intimidating, but was indeed the easiest part of the meal. Yours looks beautiful.
Emily says
Delicious! I’m going to try brining a turkey this year–wish me luck!
Chels R. says
That does sound especially good. I really would love to invest in a Turkey Roaster at some point. It would make my life so much easier, lol!
Kim says
I totally agree, the turkey is the easiest part. I’d much rather do that than rolls. Your turkey looks great, but that drink in the background looks so good too. Are you going to be posting that recipe?
Deborah says
@Kim, you can find the drink recipe here – http://www.cafezupas.com/2012/11/recipe-cranberry-punch/ – it was delicious!!
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
We love turkey and this looks delicious! Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Now I’m craving turkey! Looks delicious!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
This glaze sounds wonderful! This is definitely a great twist on a classic recipe. Maybe we’ll try it this year! 🙂
Joanne says
My parents always made a really dry turkey so I was never very enthused about making one…even when I still ate meat. But with that glaze…how could it be dry or bland?
Kim says
That is a beautiful turkey! It really isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. I think the pain with Thanksgiving is trying to make sure everything is done at the same time so that it’s all hot and fresh when you sit down. I always end up feeling like I need more burners and more oven space.