This Classic Turkey Gets a Boost with a French Herb Paste | America's Test Kitchen

herbes de Provence

🥗Healthier: fresh herbs

💰Cheaper: Italian seasoning

Fresh herbs enhance flavor without added preservatives.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil provides healthier fats.

white wine

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with vinegar

Vegetable broth adds depth without alcohol.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water

Homemade broth can be lower in sodium.

Prepare herb paste by blending 3/4 cup fresh parsley, 1/4 cup dried Herbes de Provence, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a food processor for 30 seconds.

Take 1/4 cup of the herb paste and mix with 1/4 cup kosher salt and 4 teaspoons sugar.

Separate the skin from the turkey meat, starting with the breast, and rub the salt mixture under the skin.

Use 2 tablespoons of salt on each side of the breast and 4 teaspoons on each leg, massaging it into the meat.

Fill the cavity of the turkey with any remaining salt mixture.

Tuck the wings under the turkey and tie the legs together with twine.

Place the turkey on a wire rack and refrigerate uncovered for 24 to 48 hours to dry the skin.

After drying, blot any moisture from the skin.

Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil with 1 teaspoon baking powder and drizzle over the turkey skin, brushing it evenly.

Create a foil shield for the white meat to protect it during roasting.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and place a baking steel in the bottom.

Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the hot roasting pan and place the turkey in the pan, then reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and roast for 45 minutes.

Remove the turkey from the oven, take off the foil shield, and brush with a mixture of 1 tablespoon herb paste and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and continue roasting until the white meat reaches 160 degrees.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens