Sage & Orange Butter Roasted Turkey Recipe – A Twist On A Thanksgiving Classic!
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Roasted Turkey is a classic Thanksgiving dish, and there are many different ways to prepare it. Today I am going to share a Roasted Turkey Recipe that is one of my favorites – Sage and Orange Butter Roasted Turkey.
This Sage and Orange Butter Roasted Turkey Recipe is a delicious twist on the traditional recipe. The sage provides a beautiful earthy flavor that complements the sweetness of the orange, and the butter helps to keep the meat moist and succulent. Roasting the turkey with the skin on also helps to protect it from drying out. As a result, this Roasted Turkey Recipe became a Thanksgiving staple for many of my cooking school students.
The sage adds a wonderful earthy flavor to the turkey, while the orange butter helps to keep the meat moist and juicy. And of course, Roasting the turkey with butter gives it a beautiful golden color. Roasting the turkey with some onions, carrots, and celery also adds some extra flavor. As an added bonus, roasting the turkey with all those vegetables and butter provides you with a beautiful foundation for a phenomenal gravy!
What are some traditional Thanksgiving side dishes?
Roasted turkey is the primary focus of any Thanksgiving feast, but it wouldn’t be complete without a few side dishes. As for side dishes, there are so many delicious possibilities. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, and rolls are just a few of the classics. Cranberry sauce is also a common side dish, and many people enjoy green beans or sweet potatoes as well.
Of course, no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without pumpkin pie for dessert. These are just a few of the most popular dishes served on Thanksgiving; in reality, there are dozens of different options to choose from.
Sage & Orange Butter Roasted Turkey
Well hello there friends, another beautiful turkey this year! we're going to make a Sage and Orange Butter Turkey. Simply amazing, we are going to put sage butter under the skin and stuff the turkey with oranges and onions. The combination of the butter and juices from the oranges are going to make this turkey moist and succulent. You’re going to love this turkey!
1 15 to 20poundTurkey, You’ll need about 1 ½ pound per person
1Granny Smith Apple, cut into chunks
1large Yellow Onion, cut into chunks
2 to 3sprigs fresh Sage and Thyme
2large Orange, cut into chunks
¾poundroom temperature Butter
Sage & Orange Butter:
½poundroom temperature Butter
2tablespoonsSage chopped
2teaspoonOrange peel
Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Turkey:
Preheat Oven to 325°
The turkey should be left outside of the fridge at least one hour before starting.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Season the inside with salt and pepper. Stuff the inside of the bird with the apples, onion, fresh herbs and oranges.
Carefully release the legs is they are attached together with the skin. Carefully slide your hand between the breast meat and the skin top separate MAKING SURE NOT TO BREAK THE SKIN. Rub the inside on the breast of the bird with the sage butter.
Re-tie the legs together to hold the shape of the turkey. If you break the skin that is holding the legs together be sure to tie them back with butcher twine. GENEROUSLY Rub the entire outside of the turkey with the butter.
Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Cover for the first hour with an aluminum paper. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 155 degrees. The juice should come out clear. For a 15-pound turkey, bake for approximately 3 hours. Remove turkey from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Wait 30 minutes before carving.
For the Sage & Orange Butter:
To prepare the butter mix all ingredients in a glass bowl.
As a general rule, for convection cooking, reduce the temperature by 25ºF and the cooking time by approximately 10 to 15%.Cooking in a Regular Oven at 325ºF
WEIGHT
COOKING TIME (UNSTUFFED)
COOKING TIME (STUFFED)
6 - 7 POUNDS
2 - 2 ½ HOURS
2 ¼ - 2 ¾ HOURS
7 - 10 POUNDS
2 ½ - 3 HOURS
2 ¾ - 3 ½ HOURS
10 - 18 POUNDS
3 - 3 ½ HOURS
3 ¾ - 4 ½ HOURS
18 - 22 POUNDS
3 ½ - 4 HOURS
4 ½ - 5 HOURS
22 - 24 POUNDS
4 - 4 ½ HOURS
5 - 5 ½ HOURS
24 - 30 POUNDS
4 ½ - 5 HOURS
5 ½ - 6 ¼ HOURS
Cooking in a Convection Oven at 325ºF
WEIGHT
COOKING TIME (UNSTUFFED)
COOKING TIME (STUFFED)
6 - 10 POUNDS
1 ½ - 2 HOURS
1 ¾ - 2 ½ HOURS
10 - 18 POUNDS
2 - 2 ½ HOURS
2 ½ - 3 ¼ HOURS
18 - 22 POUNDS
2 ½ - 3 HOURS
3 ¼ - 3 ¾ HOURS
22 - 24 POUNDS
3 – 3 ½ HOURS
3 ¾ - 4 ½ HOURS
No matter what the schedule above is displaying. Be sure to check the temperature of your bird at least 1 hour before the final cooking time to make sure that you are at least 90% of the desired temperature. For example if you are cooking a 20 lbs bird in a regular oven and the cooking time is expected to be 3 ½ to 4 hours. After 2 ½ hours your turkey inside temperature should be about 135. Another hour should bring to your desire 155 to 165.DOUBLE CHECK YOUR TEMPERATURE AS MANY TIMES AS IT IS NECESSARY AND NEVER COOK THE TURKEY OVER 165
Chef Jean-Pierre, born in Aix-en-Provence, France, honed his culinary skills at a young age, mastering the art of charcuterie by the age of twelve. He completed his formal apprenticeship at renowned restaurants such as L'Oustau de Baumaniere and the Carlton in Cannes. In 1976, he opened The Left Bank Restaurant, consistently recognized as one of the best in America for 22 years by magazines like "Bon Appetit," "Conde Nast," "Gourmet Magazine" and "Travel & Leisure."
Jean-Pierre was also a popular TV personality, having hosted National Public Television series like "Incredible Cuisine” and "Sunshine Cuisine." He was also nominated for "Best Culinary Video" by the James Beard Foundation and operated the nationally renowned “Chef Jean-Pierre's Cooking School” and was a sought-after guest on shows like "The Today Show" and "Larry King Live."
With over 1.1 Million Subscribers to his Chef Jean-Pierre YouTube Channel, he is a widely respected figure in the culinary world, known for his skill and dedication to his craft, but even more so known for making gourmet cooking fun and easy to learn.
This was the best turkey I’ve ever eaten! Everyone who tried it was in awe. Also, I’m visiting Pompano Beach from Canada, and as a total coincidence, my aunt and uncle who live here went to a few of Jean-Pierre’s classes. They had so much fun!
John Francis Nejedlo
on November 23, 2022 at 9:55 pm
We did a test run on a ten pound turkey two days ago. It was excellent! We are ready for a sixteen pounder tomorrow. Great video. I will be watching and trying more.
Thanks for the recipe Chef Pierre, this is my first turkey I cook by my own, I could find all fresh thyme, so I got dry one, I hope it doesn’t change the flavor that much, I got a 17 lb turkey that has been only 3 days thawing, but I have no more time, pray for this turkey to be cook nicely please. Thanks again, and God bless you always!
To the family Jean-Pierre, just discovered This Magnificent chef and his attitude toward food. Thank you so much for continuing with his vision in making cooking fun and Tastefully perfect. I wish I would have known more about his school and I’m sorry to hear that it is closed. God bless his entire family.
Dear Chef Pierre, Thank you for this recipe and the upbeat video. I have personally been dealing with a lot of loss and change this year and became a caregiver for a family member. It has taken a toll and is very wearing but the reason I tell you this is that I found your Turkey video and was so delighted by your attitude and presentation that I am going to try it this year at our Thanksgiving. You have have given us something fun to look forward to. I am so excited to try your recipe and just wanted to note that you have such a fine effect on others – I appreciate you. Keep the videos coming and stay wonderful <3
Thank you so much Jo-Ellen for the kind words, I appreciate you! Life is a challenge, especially as a caregiver. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love you Chef Pierre, I have watched your videos over and over again, you are AMAZING!!! Making this turkey for my Thanksgiving Dinner this year, thank you for the wonderful recipe!!!
This was the best turkey I’ve ever eaten! Everyone who tried it was in awe. Also, I’m visiting Pompano Beach from Canada, and as a total coincidence, my aunt and uncle who live here went to a few of Jean-Pierre’s classes. They had so much fun!
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipes! 😊
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Chef Jean-Pierre !
It’s 5:55 am on Thanksgiving morning up here in New England.
Getting ready to prep my 21 lb turkey for the oven. Mise en place is ready. Looking forward to using this recipe !
It does look amazing !
Thank you, Tom! Thanksgiving in New England must be beautiful! Sunny and warm here in Florida!!
We did a test run on a ten pound turkey two days ago. It was excellent! We are ready for a sixteen pounder tomorrow. Great video. I will be watching and trying more.
Thank you, John!
Thanks for the recipe Chef Pierre, this is my first turkey I cook by my own, I could find all fresh thyme, so I got dry one, I hope it doesn’t change the flavor that much, I got a 17 lb turkey that has been only 3 days thawing, but I have no more time, pray for this turkey to be cook nicely please. Thanks again, and God bless you always!
Hi Carmen, I bet you did great!
To the family Jean-Pierre, just discovered This Magnificent chef and his attitude toward food. Thank you so much for continuing with his vision in making cooking fun and Tastefully perfect. I wish I would have known more about his school and I’m sorry to hear that it is closed. God bless his entire family.
Thank you, Gena! My school may be closed but I am continuing with YouTube!
My turkey and gravy was perfect last year. I like the idea of making my gravy the day before.
I’ve been asked to cook the bird again. !
Thank you, Lori. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear Chef Pierre, Thank you for this recipe and the upbeat video. I have personally been dealing with a lot of loss and change this year and became a caregiver for a family member. It has taken a toll and is very wearing but the reason I tell you this is that I found your Turkey video and was so delighted by your attitude and presentation that I am going to try it this year at our Thanksgiving. You have have given us something fun to look forward to. I am so excited to try your recipe and just wanted to note that you have such a fine effect on others – I appreciate you. Keep the videos coming and stay wonderful <3
Thank you so much Jo-Ellen for the kind words, I appreciate you! Life is a challenge, especially as a caregiver. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love you Chef Pierre, I have watched your videos over and over again, you are AMAZING!!! Making this turkey for my Thanksgiving Dinner this year, thank you for the wonderful recipe!!!
Thank you, Peggie, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!