There are about a gazillion roasted turkey recipes that you can make for your amazing Thanksgiving dinner. But Paula Deen’s recipe stands out. Why! Because it is easy and the roasted turkey is delicious with a herby taste and crispy skin. The recipe is a no-hassle one and you also get a quick mini recipe for making the gravy from the pan juices. 

The ingredients are not fancy but I think that’s the beauty of it. The point I am trying to make is that there’s already so much to do during holidays. So, what you need is a recipe that is quick, delicious, and looks good as well. Paula Deen’s roasted turkey checks all boxes. The turkey is, after all, the showstopper of the feast. It has to be great.

Paula Deen’s recipe for roasted turkey uses herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley to flavor the turkey. The recipe also includes a quick 3-step guide to make the gravy. The gravy is made with pan juices from the turkey. So, the turkey is flavorful and so is the gravy. Let’s move to the recipe for Paula Deen’s roasted turkey. But before you check it out, explore some other recipes from the celebrity chef, Paula Deen.

1. Paula Deen’s Sweet Potato Gratin– Paula Deen’s sweet potato gratin is the one of the best potato recipes for Thanksgiving. This delicious dish is made with sweet potatoes, caramelized onion, and cheese. There is also a hotness to the dish because of the paprika and cayenne.

2. Paula Deen’s Chicken And Dressing– Paula Deen’s chicken and dressing recipe is as delicious as it is healthy. It is made with chicken cooked in vegetables. It is then baked with cooked vegetables, cornbread, and biscuits. This delicious recipe makes for a delightful and fulfilling dinner.

3.  Paula Deen’s Cranberry Congealed Salad– Paula Deen cranberry congealed salad has a crunchy yet buttery base and a delicious layer of cheese on top. Although it’s a salad, but it tastes more like a dessert. Made the gelatinous cranberry base, top it with cheese and fresh cranberries.

4. Paula Deen’s Jello Salad– If you are a fan of jello, then you must try Paula Deen’s jello salad. The jello is made with cranberry and pineapple. It is then topped with cream cheese and walnuts. You can also add fresh fruits on top like pineapples, raspberries, and cranberries.

What Equipment Will You Need To Make Paula Deen’s Roasted Turkey?

• Roasting Pan- First, roast the turkey in the roasting pan and then, simmer the pan juices in it. 
• Aluminum Foil- Use the foil to tent the turkey while roasting. 
• Oven- If not the oven, where will you roast the turkey?
• Small Pot- Use it to make the gravy once you have skimmed and simmered the pan juices. 
• Sieve, Spoon, Knife, and Brush- Strain the pan juices using a sieve. Use the spoon for mixing and the knife for chopping. The brush is used for brushing the turkey with melted butter. 

How Much Time Will You Need To Make Paula Deen’s Roasted Turkey?

What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Paula Deen’s Roasted Turkey?

• Turkey- I am assuming you are having a big feast so you’ll be needing at least a 12-lb turkey. Make sure its giblets are removed and it is thawed if frozen. 
• Onion, Garlic, Fresh Herbs, and Bay Leaves- These are the stuffings that go in the turkey cavity. It gives the turkey a herby and nutty flavor and a great aroma too. The fresh herbs Paula Deen uses are thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley
• Unsalted Butter- Use the unsalted butter to brush the skin of the turkey before roasting. This makes the turkey’s skin crisp and delicious. 
• Chicken Broth- This is an ingredient for the gravy. Once you have reduced the pan juices, add the chicken broth to make it more flavorful.
• Cornstarch- Mix cornstarch with some water and add it to the gravy to thicken it. 
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper. Season the turkey inside with salt and pepper and add a little bit of the pepper to the gravy as well. 

Steps To Make Paula Deen’s Roasted Turkey

1. ‘Thyme’ To Herb The Turkey

Take your hollowed-out turkey and season the cavity with salt and pepper. Then, place the onions and halved garlic inside the turkey. Now, take the chopped herbs that include thyme, sage, parsley, and rosemary and add them inside the cavity. Also, add the bay leaves in the cavity as well. Now, the turkey is stuffed and ‘herbed’.

2. Into The Oven, We Go

Now that the turkey is prepped, place it in a roasting tray with breast side up. Take melted butter and use half of it to brush the whole turkey from the outside. Also, do some salt abe action and season the turkey from outside as well.

Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and place in the oven that has been preheated to 325°F. Roast the turkey for about 2 and a half hours. You might think that the turkey is cooked but it is not. Uncover the turkey and brush it with the remaining butter and it’s going back into the oven for 30 minutes at 425 °F. After that, take it out just for a little while and cover it with foil. Place it in the oven for the last time and roast it for 15 minutes. Take it out and let it rest for 15 minutes, it had a long day.

3. Now, The Gravy

While the turkey is resting, prepare the gravy. Take the pan juices and remove the fat from them. Place the roasting pan over heat and add broth, thyme, and some pepper to it. Cook it on a simmer for 3 minutes. Then, sieve it into a small pot placed over low heat. Add cornstarch that has been mixed with ⅓ cup of water. Whisk the gravy until it is thick and then remove it from heat. 

Serve your roast turkey with this delicious gravy and impress everyone with this awesome recipe, take all the credit even though you can’t pass this recipe as your own (*wink wink*).

Nutritional Value

How Will Paula Deen’s Roasted Turkey Look And Taste Like?

The turkey looks like a million bucks, not really! But it does look like a damn good roasted turkey. The skin is brown and crisp. Once you have carved the turkey, you can see the meat is white. You’ll taste the nuttiness of garlic and the freshness of herbs. You’ll also feel why I emphasize so much on seasoning. Nothing beats well-seasoned meat, actually a well seasoned and perfectly cooked meat. Also, the gravy is rich and thick. Serve your delicious turkey with the thick gravy and thank the Lord and then Paula Deen for it. 

Recipe Card

Here it is! Paula Deen’s roasted turkey recipe for you. Roast the turkey and tell us what you liked about the recipe in the comments. I am also open to constructive criticism and any suggestions. See you next time!