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If there’s one holiday dish I never get tired of making, it’s a good roast turkey — and this butter-blanketed version has completely ruined me for any other method. It turns out juicy, golden, and full of flavor every single time.
I first tried this technique after catching a late-night cooking show (insomnia has its perks), and I honestly didn’t believe it would work. But one buttery, perfectly cooked turkey later… I was converted. Now it’s the only way I roast a holiday bird, whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas.
This is the kind of showpiece that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and won’t stress you out — perfect if you’re feeding a crowd or just want something dependable on the table.
Why This Holiday Turkey Is Worth Making
- It stays juicy every time – The butter-soaked cheesecloth keeps the meat tender while helping the skin turn deep golden.
- It’s easy but looks impressive – The method feels chef-level, yet it’s simple once you try it, and the results look holiday-worthy.
- The flavor gets right under the skin – Rubbing herb butter beneath the skin gives you far more taste than seasoning the outside alone.
- Makes an instant centerpiece – This turkey comes out glossy, golden, and camera-ready — no last-minute patching or stressing.
- Naturally high on protein and keto-friendly – It’s a classic-style turkey without carbs or odd swaps, so it works for everyone at the table.
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Ingredients & Swaps
- Whole turkey – Works with any size bird; just adjust the cooking time (about 20 minutes per 450 g / 1 lb).
- Butter – Key for soaking the cheesecloth and keeping the turkey moist. You can use ghee for a dairy-light option.
- Onions – Added to the cavity for aroma. You can swap for garlic halves or leeks.
- Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary) – These infuse the turkey as it cooks. If you don’t have all three, use whatever mix you have.
- Chicken stock – Used for soaking the cloth and basting. Bone broth works too.
- Salt, pepper & garlic – Simple seasoning that pairs with the herb butter.
- Cheesecloth or muslin – Essential for this method. It prevents the skin from drying out and helps the outside brown evenly.
Tips for the Juiciest Butter-Blanketed Turkey
- Keep the cloth soaked. If the cheesecloth starts to dry out, it can stick. Make sure it’s fully saturated with the butter mixture before it goes on the turkey — and baste the cloth itself, not just the bird.
- Check the pan partway through. If the roasting pan dries out, add a splash of stock or water. A dry pan means the cloth dries faster.
- Don’t overstuff the cavity. The onion and herbs add flavor, but packing in too much slows down the cooking and can lead to uneven results.
- Use a thermometer, not the clock. Time is only a guide. The turkey is ready when the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Be gentle removing the cloth. If any part sticks, brush or spoon on more of the hot basting liquid and wait a few seconds — it will release.
- Let the turkey rest. Resting for at least 30 minutes keeps the juices from running out when you carve.
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Holiday Turkey FAQ
How big should my turkey be for this recipe?
Count on about 1 lb (450 g) of raw turkey per person, which includes the bones. A 12-lb bird serves roughly 10–12 people. If you make a larger or smaller turkey, keep the same cooking method and adjust the time (about 20 minutes per pound after the initial high-heat stage).
How much butter do I really need?
The large amount of butter isn’t optional — it keeps the cloth saturated and the turkey moist. If you want to cut it slightly, replace up to half with chicken stock, but results are best when you follow the full amount.
Can I use this method for a half turkey or turkey breast?
Yes. The cheesecloth technique works with half turkeys, whole turkey breasts, or even chicken. Reduce cooking time based on the weight and check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If using half turkey, place in the baking tray cut side down.
Do I have to use cheesecloth?
Yes — for this method to work, cheesecloth (or muslin) is important. It helps keep the surface moist while allowing the skin to brown evenly. If you skip it, the turkey will still roast, but the results won’t be the same.
Why does the turkey start at high heat?
The first blast of heat helps the skin begin to brown and tighten before switching to the lower roasting temperature. It also helps lock in moisture before the long roast.
What can I do with the butter drippings?
Don’t throw them out — they’re full of flavor. You can turn the drippings into a quick gravy (by reducing and blending with roasted aromatics to thicken), spoon them over leftover turkey to keep it moist, or use them to roast veggies like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower. They also work well stirred into soups or saved as a basting butter for future poultry.
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Storage & Serving
Leftovers will keep well for 4–5 days in the fridge. Slice the turkey off the bone and store it in an airtight container with a little of the pan juices to keep it moist.
For longer storage, freeze cooked turkey for up to 3 months. Freeze it in smaller portions so it thaws quickly and stays tender when reheated.
To reheat, warm gently in a covered dish at a low oven temperature (around 300°F / 150°C) or in a skillet with a splash of broth. Avoid high heat so the meat doesn’t dry out.
This turkey is great served warm on the day, but leftovers are perfect in salads, soups, omelets, or tossed through cauliflower rice bowls.
Complete Your Holiday Menu
Round out your festive table with a few more low-carb favorites. These pair perfectly with your turkey and keep the whole menu simple, seasonal, and crowd-friendly.
Hands-on Overall
Serving size about 160 g/ 5.6 oz cooked turkey
Nutritional values (per about 160 g/ 5.6 oz cooked turkey)
Net carbs1.4 grams
Protein46.3 grams
Fat46.1 grams
Calories611 kcal
Calories from carbs 1%, protein 31%, fat 68%
Total carbs2 gramsFiber0.5 gramsSugars0.9 gramsSaturated fat24.2 gramsSodium820 mg(36% RDA)Magnesium77 mg(19% RDA)Potassium575 mg(29% EMR)
Ingredients (makes 12 servings)
- 5.5 kg whole turkey (12 lbs)
- 500 g butter (1.1 lb)
- 2 small onions (140 g/ 5 oz)
- 1 bunch of sage
- 1 bunch of thyme
- 2 cups chicken stock (480 ml/ 16 fl oz)
- 2 to 3 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 2 tbsp chopped sage
- 1 tbsp chopped thyme
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 piece of cheesecloth or muslin, big enough to fold in half and cover your bird
Instructions
- You’ll need a piece of cheesecloth or muslin, big enough to fold in half and cover your bird. Preheat the oven to 220 °C/ 430 °F (fan assisted), or 240 °C/ 465 °F (conventional).
- Dry the turkey inside and out with clean paper towels.
- Melt half of the butter (250 g/ 8.8 oz) in a saucepan on the stove and add 1 cup of chicken stock.
- Place the rest of the butter, salt and pepper in a small bowl and add the chopped herbs and the garlic. Mix well until you have a nicely combined herb and garlic butter.
- Very carefully, use your hand to slide between the skin of the turkey and the meat, creating a pocket of space all over the breast and legs of the bird.
- Cut the onions in half and stuff the turkey with them, along with the bunches of sage and thyme. You can use herbs to taste - these don’t get eaten but the infuse they bird with lovely flavours while cooking and help to ensure even cooking.
- Use your hands to spread the herbed butter under the skin of the turkey, massaging and smoothing it out as you go. Any leftover butter can be rubbed all over the outside of the bird.
- Place your cheesecloth in the melted butter mixture and then gently squeeze out excess liquid. Fold the cloth and drape over your turkey, patting it down and smoothing it over until the bird is wrapped neatly.
- Place the wrapped turkey on a rack over a roasting dish and pour 1 cup of chicken stock in the base of the tray.
- Cook the turkey for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove from oven and baste with the butter and chicken stock baste.
- Reduce the temperature to 180 °C/ 355 °F (fan assisted), or 200 °C/ 400 °F (conventional), and cook the turkey for a further 2 hours or so, depending on the size of your bird (about 20 minutes per each pound/ 450 g of turkey). The turkey is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 74 °C/ 165 °F.
- Baste the turkey with the melted butter and chicken stock mixture every 30 minutes, you can also use the juices that gather in the bottom of the roasting dish.
- When your turkey is done, baste the cloth really well and gently pull away from your, now incredibly golden, bird. If it sticks, don’t panic, just soak that spot a bit more until it releases.
- Cover the turkey with foil and rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serve warm with low-carb sides like Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Cauliflower Mash. Store, in a covered container, in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Butter Blanketed Roast Turkey
Step by Step
Ingredients
- 5.5 kg whole turkey (12 lbs)
- 500 g butter (1.1 lb)
- 2 small onions (140 g/ 5 oz)
- 1 bunch of sage
- 1 bunch of thyme
- 2 cups chicken stock (480 ml/ 16 fl oz)
- 2 to 3 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 2 tbsp chopped sage
- 1 tbsp chopped thyme
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 piece of cheesecloth or muslin, big enough to fold in half and cover your bird
Instructions
- You’ll need a piece of cheesecloth or muslin, big enough to fold in half and cover your bird. Preheat the oven to 220 °C/ 430 °F (fan assisted), or 240 °C/ 465 °F (conventional).
- Dry the turkey inside and out with clean paper towels.
- Melt half of the butter (250 g/ 8.8 oz) in a saucepan on the stove and add 1 cup of chicken stock.
- Place the rest of the butter, salt and pepper in a small bowl and add the chopped herbs and the garlic. Mix well until you have a nicely combined herb and garlic butter.
- Very carefully, use your hand to slide between the skin of the turkey and the meat, creating a pocket of space all over the breast and legs of the bird.
- Cut the onions in half and stuff the turkey with them, along with the bunches of sage and thyme. You can use herbs to taste - these don’t get eaten but the infuse they bird with lovely flavours while cooking and help to ensure even cooking.
- Use your hands to spread the herbed butter under the skin of the turkey, massaging and smoothing it out as you go. Any leftover butter can be rubbed all over the outside of the bird.
- Place your cheesecloth in the melted butter mixture and then gently squeeze out excess liquid. Fold the cloth and drape over your turkey, patting it down and smoothing it over until the bird is wrapped neatly.
- Place the wrapped turkey on a rack over a roasting dish and pour 1 cup of chicken stock in the base of the tray.
- Cook the turkey for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove from oven and baste with the butter and chicken stock baste.
- Reduce the temperature to 180 °C/ 355 °F (fan assisted), or 200 °C/ 400 °F (conventional), and cook the turkey for a further 2 hours or so, depending on the size of your bird (about 20 minutes per each pound/ 450 g of turkey). The turkey is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 74 °C/ 165 °F.
- Baste the turkey with the melted butter and chicken stock mixture every 30 minutes, you can also use the juices that gather in the bottom of the roasting dish.
- When your turkey is done, baste the cloth really well and gently pull away from your, now incredibly golden, bird. If it sticks, don’t panic, just soak that spot a bit more until it releases.
- Cover the turkey with foil and rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serve warm with low-carb sides like Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Cauliflower Mash. Store, in a covered container, in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition (per serving, about 160 g/ 5.6 oz cooked turkey)
Calories611kcal
Net Carbs1.4g
Carbohydrates2g
Protein46.3g
Fat46.1g
Saturated Fat24.2g
Fiber0.5g
Sugar0.9g
Sodium820mg
Magnesium77mg
Potassium575mg
Detailed nutritional breakdown (per about 160 g/ 5.6 oz cooked turkey)
| Total per about 160 g/ 5.6 oz cooked turkey |
| 1.4 g | 46.3 g | 46.1 g | 611 kcal |
| Turkey, whole, meat and skin, raw |
| 0.3 g | 45.1 g | 11.8 g | 298 kcal |
| Butter, unsalted, grass-fed |
| 0 g | 0.4 g | 33.8 g | 299 kcal |
| Onion, brown (yellow), raw |
| 0.7 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 4 kcal |
| Sage, fresh |
| 0.1 g | 0 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
| Thyme, fresh |
| 0.1 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
| Chicken stock |
| 0.1 g | 0.6 g | 0.5 g | 7 kcal |
| Salt, sea salt |
| 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
| Pepper, black, spices |
| 0.1 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
| Rosemary, fresh |
| 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
| Garlic, fresh |
| 0.1 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
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