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A golden-brown roasted Cowboy Butter Turkey on a white platter, partially sliced to show juicy white meat, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Cowboy Butter Turkey

A juicy, flavor-packed roasted turkey slathered with bold cowboy butter made from garlic, herbs, lemon, and spices. Perfect for holidays and family dinners.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey 10–12 lb, thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 1 lemon halved
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Equipment

  • Roasting Pan
  • Roasting Rack
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and position the rack in the lower third of the oven.
  2. In a bowl, mix butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, parsley, chives, thyme, chili flakes, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
  3. Pat the turkey dry and gently loosen the skin over the breast.
  4. Rub half of the cowboy butter under the skin and the remaining half over the outside of the turkey.
  5. Stuff the cavity with onion quarters and lemon halves.
  6. Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan and pour chicken broth into the pan.
  7. Cover loosely with foil and roast for about 2 1/2 hours, basting occasionally.
  8. Remove foil and roast 45–60 minutes more until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, increase oven temperature to 400°F (205°C) for the last 10 minutes while monitoring closely.