Roasted Herb-Crusted Turkey with Citrus Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A tender roasted turkey seasoned with fresh herbs and finished with a bright citrus glaze perfect for holiday celebrations. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 240 minutes, pairs whole turkey, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 210 min Serves 12 American cuisine 420 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

12 lbs whole turkey
3 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
3 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
6, minced garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp, freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup, freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup honey
4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter

Leave-in probe thermometers that alarm when the turkey is done → Best Leave-In Meat Thermometers for Thanksgiving Turkey and Roasts in 2026: Wireless and Wired Picks

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 3 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper to create a herb paste.
Step 2: Pat the 12 lb whole turkey dry with paper towels. Rub the herb paste all over the turkey, including under the skin and inside the cavity for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Tent loosely with foil and roast for 3 hours.
Step 4: While the turkey roasts, combine 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice and 1/4 cup honey in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant.
Step 5: After 3 hours, remove the foil and brush the turkey with 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, then brush with the citrus glaze. Increase oven temperature to 425°F and roast for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the glaze, until the skin is golden and a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Step 6: Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.