Ingredients:

  • 1 (6.5 lb) bone-in turkey breast, thawed
  • 2 tbsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Dry the bird. Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Get into every nook and cranny. Note: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
  2. Start the brine. Apply the 2 tbsp Kosher salt all over the skin. Refrigerate it uncovered for 12 hours. This dry brine is the secret to that glassy, crackling skin.
  3. Tempering. Remove the turkey from the fridge 30 minutes before roasting. This lets the internal temperature rise slightly so it cooks more evenly in the oven.
  4. Heat it up. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). While that warms, mix your 0.5 cup softened butter with the minced garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, and smoked paprika.
  5. Prep the base. Place the chopped carrots, celery, and onion in the roasting pan. Pour in that 1 cup of chicken broth. This is your flavor insurance.
  6. Under the skin. Gently loosen the turkey skin from the meat with your fingers. Be careful not to tear it! Spread half of that herb butter directly onto the meat under the skin.
  7. Outer coat. Rub the remaining half of the butter all over the exterior skin. Season everything with the cracked black pepper.
  8. The roast. Place the turkey on the V rack. Roast for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. The rest. Remove from the oven. Let it rest for 20 minutes. Note: The temp will rise to 165°F (74°C) on its own.
  10. Carve. Slice against the grain for the most tender bites. If you find yourself loving this oven baked method, you should definitely check out these [Oven Baked Chicken Thighs](https://recipeseasily.com/recipes/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs/) for a faster weeknight version using similar over high heat techniques.