Herb-Glazed Roasted Turkey

By Coldsnap46

"A whole turkey is brushed and basted with a honey-butter glaze flavored with thyme, sage, and basil. It's the star of the Holiday table." --Recipe by MOIRA

Ingredients

• 1 (16 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 teaspoons dried sage leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Details

Servings 1
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 285mins
Adapted from allrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Rinse the turkey, and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels. Brush the turkey with olive oil, inside and out.

2. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and the thyme in a small bowl, and sprinkle the turkey with the mixture.

3. Place the turkey on a rack set in a roasting pan, and roast in the preheated oven for 2 hours.

4. In a bowl, stir together the honey, melted butter, sage, parsley, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper, until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Brush the turkey with the honey glaze, and return to the oven.

5. Roast the turkey until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 2 more hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Continue to brush the turkey with the honey glaze frequently as it roasts. Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Cook's Note: Use really good honey, or you can use maple syrup.

Note: Helpful tips/suggestions from reviews of this recipe - which received excellent reviews! *Several reviewers used half honey/half light karo.