Roast Turkey Recipe for New Year's Table

Crispy on the Outside – Juicy on the Inside – Aromatic Roast Turkey Recipe

Ingredients For the Turkey

• 1 whole turkey (4–6 kg)

• 3 tablespoons butter (at room temperature)

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large onion (quartered)

• 1 lemon (halved)

• 1 whole head of garlic (cut in half horizontally)

• 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Aromatic Butter Mixture

• 3 tablespoons softened butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves crushed garlic)

• 1 teaspoon thyme

• 1 teaspoon rosemary

• Salt & pepper

Preparation

Take the turkey out of the fridge 1 hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
This step is essential for even cooking.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (top & bottom heat).

Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast and spread the aromatic butter mixture generously under the skin.
This step completely prevents the turkey from drying out.

Massage the remaining butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey.

Place the onion, lemon, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves inside the cavity.

Tie the legs together and tuck the wing tips underneath.

Cooking Time

General rule:
? 30 minutes per kilogram + 20 minutes extra for browning

For a 4–6 kg turkey, ideal cooking time is:
⏱ 2.5 – 3 hours

Cooking Steps

Place the turkey on a roasting pan.
You may add vegetables (carrots, onions, celery) underneath to keep it from drying out.

Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and cook for the first hour.

After 1 hour, remove the turkey from the oven and baste it frequently with its own juices.
(Basting gives the turkey its golden color and rich flavor.)

Remove the foil and roast for an additional 45–60 minutes until browned.

The turkey is done when the internal temperature of the breast reaches 75–80°C.
(If you don’t have a thermometer, the juices from the thickest part of the leg should run clear, not pink.)

Resting – The Most Important Step

Once out of the oven, cover the turkey lightly and let it rest for at least 25–30 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a much juicier turkey.

Serving Suggestions

• Roasted potatoes & carrots

• Rice pilaf with apples

• Cranberry sauce

• Oven-roasted vegetables

• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Tips for Perfect Results

• Spreading butter under the skin = guaranteed juicy turkey

• Covering first, uncovering later = even cooking + perfect browning

• Basting every 30 minutes = restaurant-quality flavor

Why Is Turkey Preferred on New Year’s Tables?

Roast turkey on New Year’s tables symbolizes abundance, togetherness, and the shared hope for a fresh beginning. Large and ideal for sharing, it brings family and friends around the same table—making it not just a dish, but the embodiment of the New Year spirit. While turkey has gained popularity in Turkey in recent years, it has long been the centerpiece of Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, Christmas Dinner in the UK and many parts of Europe, and a symbolic main course for New Year’s celebrations worldwide. Each culture seasons and prepares it differently, yet the meaning remains the same: welcoming the new year with goodwill, unity, and prosperity. This is why roast turkey stands as a global New Year classic, carrying both tradition and the warmth of shared celebration to every festive table.