Citrus Turkey with Herb Butter

Looking for a new turkey dinner recipe this holiday season? You'll love this Citrus Turkey recipe! Sliced citrus (orange and lemons) with a fresh herb garlic butter penetrate your turkey with flavor. A modern twist on an old favorite, something new for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table!

You'll love this recipe because of the amazing flavors, your guests won't forget it! There's nothing complicated here, customize with your favorite herbs like Thyme, Sage, Parsley and Garlic with a bit of Citrus zing! Plus the aroma wafting through the air, so good!

Ingredients

• Whole Turkey - 13 pound (6kg)
• 1 stick of Butter (125 grams)
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• Fresh Herbs - Thyme, Sage, Parsley
• Orange/Lemon Juice
• Onion
• Salt and Pepper

How to Make Citrus Turkey

1. Prepare Oven - preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) in a fan forced oven.
2. Herb Butter - mix softened Butter with Garlic, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Orange Zest, Lemon Zest, Orange/Lemon Juice, Salt and Pepper.
3. Stuff Cavity - fill the cavity of the Turkey with Orange Slices, Lemon Slices, Onion and fresh Herb sprigs.
4. Loosen Skin - carefully separate the Turkey Skin from the Turkey Breast.
5. Apply Butter - pat the Turkey Skin dry. Using your hands, spread the Herb Butter between the Skin and Turkey Breast. Generously slather Butter on the outside of the Turkey. Save a bit of the Herb Butter for basting later.
6. Foil - loosely cover with Foil and place Turkey in the pre-heated oven.
7. Roast - cook the turkey for 15 minutes per pound (or 30 minutes per kilogram). Remove the foil when the turkey is ⅔ of the way cooked, and baste with remaining butter while it finishes cooking. It's cooked when internal temperature of Turkey Breast is 165°F (75°C) and Thighs 175°F (80°C).
8. Rest - when turkey has reached internal temperature, remove from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes before serving.
9. Garnish - add fresh Citrus Slices, Fresh Herbs, Roasted Garlic and serve with your favorite vegetable side dishes.

Citrus Turkey Variations

• Spiced Turkey - add your favorite Spices to the Herb Butter like Paprika, Cumin or Cayenne Pepper
• Tropical Turkey - subsitute Citrus with Pineapple Slices or just add Pineapple and Lime slices to the mix
• Honey Glazed Turkey - mix a Turkey Glaze with Orange Juice, Honey and Balsamic Vinegar and brush over turkey in the last 30 minutes of roasting

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Meat Thermometer - It's easier to cook Turkey on a timer based on weight, but always recommended to use a Meat Thermometer to get it right
• Soften Butter - it's much easier to mix the Herb Butter when it's at room temperature
• Crispy Skin - pat the Turkey Skin dry thoroughly with paper towels before rubbing with butter. This helps the Skin to crisp up when serving
• Balance Citrus - use both Orange for sweetness and Lemon for tanginess to get the flavors right - can also use Lime
• Room Temperature Turkey - ensure Turkey is fully defrosted and remove from fridge for 1 hour before roasting. Don't leave it out for more than 2 hours. This is also true if Brining a Turkey.

Brining Turkey - Yes or No

Brining is simply placing the Turkey in salty water infused with Herbs and Spices. The Turkey takes on the salty water, so when it roasts, it won't dry out and remains juicy. Check out my Brining Post, and decide if it's right for you! You'll need a Food Grade Bucket and 24 hours in the fridge before roasting. Add sliced Lemon and Orange into the Citrus Turkey Brine, to kick off those flavor profiles.

Butter, Butter and more Butter

I always say, Everything tastes better with butter, and this Turkey is no exception! Fresh Herbs chopped with Citrus Zest and Butter, elevate the flavors over and under the Turkey skin. Ensuring a crispy skin and providing a flavor boost to the Turkey Breast. Don't be stingy with Butter!

How Do I Know The Turkey Is Ready?

I honesty don't know how we survived our childhoods 🤣. Everything is measured with temperature probes these days. Probe the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. The internal temp for Turkey Breast should be 165°F (75°C) and Turkey Thighs 175°F (80°C) before taking it out of the oven. Only remove when the temperature says the Turkey is ready.

Resting A Turkey

We are all so impatient, that we forget to factor in the resting time of your Turkey. Add at least another 20 minutes to your planning and roasting time, to allow your Turkey to rest. Resting allows the juices of the Turkey to relax while reabsorbing the moisture. Remove from the Roasting Pan, cover with Foil, and cover with a kitchen towel on top for good measure.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge - allow Turkey to cool (no more than 2 hours out of the oven). Place in airtight container and keep refrigerated up to 4 days. Add gravy or stock to keep it moist.
• Freezer - allow Turkey to cool and place in portion sized Ziploc bags. Squeeze as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in fridge overnight before heating.
• Reheating - place Turkey in a Roasting Pan. Add Stock or Gravy and cover with foil. Warm at 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes.

Sides Dishes for Turkey

• Stovetop Stuffing - with lots of Butter!
• Greek Green Beans
• Truffle Mashed Potatoes
• Crispy Leaf Duck Fat Potatoes
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
• Balsamic Glaze Brussel Sprouts
• Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

This Citrus Turkey recipe will be the talk of the table this holiday season. Juicy and full of flavor, a change from the ordinary that everyone will love! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted October 2021, update November 2024