| 
A whole turkey is the ultimate centrepiece for family gatherings, celebrations, and festive meals. When cooked properly, it delivers tender meat, crisp golden skin, and rich flavour that brings everyone to the table. At Tender Gourmet Butchery, our whole turkeys are sourced from trusted Australian producers and prepared to give home cooks confidence and consistent results.
This guide walks you through how to prepare, roast, and serve a whole turkey with ease. Whether you are cooking turkey for the first time or refining your technique, following these steps will help you achieve a perfectly cooked roast every time.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 3.5 to 4.5 hours (depending on size) | Serves: 8 to 12
Ingredients
To prepare this whole turkey roast, you will need:
- 1x TGB Whole Turkey (4 to 6 kg)
- 80 g butter, softened
- 4x garlic cloves, crushed
- 2x sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
- 1x sprig thyme
- 1x lemon, halved
- Salt and cracked black pepper
- 1 to 1.5 cups chicken stock for the roasting tray
A successful whole turkey roast starts with quality poultry. Using a fresh, free-range turkey ensures even cooking, better texture, and superior flavour throughout both the breast and leg meat.
Method
Roasting a whole turkey is simpler than many people expect. The key is preparation, moisture control, and patience.
- Remove the turkey from the fridge 45 minutes before cooking to bring it closer to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius fan-forced.
- Mix butter, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and spread half the butter underneath. Rub the remaining butter over the skin.
- Place the lemon halves and thyme inside the cavity.
- Set the turkey on a rack in a deep roasting tray. Add chicken stock to the base of the tray to keep the meat moist.
- Cover loosely with foil and roast for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Remove foil, baste with pan juices, and continue roasting until the skin is golden and crisp.
- Check the thickest part of the thigh reaches a safe internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius.
- Rest the turkey for at least 25 minutes before carving.
This method produces a whole turkey that is juicy throughout, with tender breast meat and richly flavoured legs. Resting is essential, as it allows the juices to redistribute and improves slicing.
Butcher’s Tip
- Always season generously. A whole turkey needs sufficient salt to flavour the meat beneath the skin.
- Basting every 30 to 40 minutes helps maintain moisture and colour.
- Do not rush the cooking process by increasing the temperature. Slow, even roasting is key to a succulent result.
- For extra flavour, add onion, carrot, and celery to the roasting tray to enrich the pan juices.
Choosing a whole turkey from Tender Gourmet Butchery means your bird has been selected and handled by experienced butchers who understand how to deliver consistent quality.
Health Benefits of Whole Turkey
Turkey is naturally high in lean protein and low in saturated fat, making it a nutritious option for large gatherings. It is rich in B vitamins, selenium, and zinc, which support energy production and immune health. A properly roasted whole turkey provides a balanced, wholesome meal that satisfies without being heavy.
When paired with seasonal vegetables and light sides, turkey remains one of the healthiest traditional roast options available.
Why Choose Tender Gourmet Butchery
Tender Gourmet Butchery is proud to supply premium whole turkeys prepared to the highest standards. Our poultry is sourced from trusted Australian farms and handled in-house by award-winning butchers. With over 200 national awards and multiple Sydney locations, TGB remains a trusted destination for quality, expertise, and exceptional service.
Whether you are planning a festive feast or a special family meal, our whole turkey range is designed to deliver confidence and outstanding results.
Order your whole turkey from Tender Gourmet Butchery today. Visit our Hornsby store or shop online to secure a premium bird and enjoy expert advice from Australia’s most awarded gourmet butcher.
