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Honey-Glazed Turkey Recipe: Easy Show-Stopping Holiday Dinner

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This honey-glazed turkey features a sweet, sticky glaze and juicy, tender meat, making it the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Simple ingredients and a forgiving method ensure a golden, caramelized finish that impresses every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed if frozen
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin preferred)
  • 3/4 cup honey (clover or wildflower)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or sage/rosemary blend)
  • Zest from 1 orange (optional)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 1 large onion, quartered

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and position rack in lower third. Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity; pat turkey dry with paper towels.
  2. Season turkey inside and out with kosher salt and black pepper. Rub softened butter all over skin, especially breast and thighs. Drizzle olive oil over bird and massage gently.
  3. Stuff cavity with quartered onion, a handful of fresh thyme, and orange peels if using.
  4. Place carrots and celery in bottom of roasting pan. Add chicken broth. Set turkey breast-side up on rack (or veggies). Tuck wing tips under bird and tie legs loosely with kitchen twine.
  5. Roast turkey, uncovered, for 2 hours. Tent breast lightly with foil if skin browns quickly.
  6. While turkey roasts, combine honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, minced garlic, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until smooth and syrupy. Remove from heat.
  7. After 2 hours, begin brushing turkey with honey glaze every 20 minutes. Return turkey to oven between each glaze, rotating pan for even browning. Spoon pooled glaze back over bird if needed.
  8. Continue roasting until thickest part of thigh registers 165°F (74°C) with instant-read thermometer (total roasting time: 3 to 3 1/2 hours for 12-14 lb turkey). Tent with foil if skin gets too dark.
  9. Remove turkey from oven and let rest, tented loosely with foil, for at least 30 minutes.
  10. Carve breast, thighs, and legs. Arrange on platter and spoon extra glaze or pan juices over top.

Notes

Brush glaze in layers during last hour of roasting for best caramelization. Tent breast with foil if browning too quickly. Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving for juicier slices. Use pan drippings for gravy or to moisten dry spots. For gluten-free, check mustard and broth labels. Dairy-free option: substitute olive oil for butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey glazed turkey, holiday turkey, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy turkey recipe, glazed turkey, showstopper turkey, main dish, festive turkey, oven roasted turkey

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