Rosemary: The Secret Ingredient for Delicious Turkey

If youre a fan of the Mediterranean flavors, then add this turkey recipe to your holiday menu. The olive oil, garlic, and herbs rubbed under and over the skin infuse so much fantastic flavor and moisture. Youre left with a beautiful and delicious turkey. It has a rich aroma and incredible rosemary and garlic flavor. — The Test Kitchen

When it comes to cooking the perfect turkey, rosemary deserves a spot at the top of the ingredient list. This aromatic herb’s piney fragrance and woodsy flavor make it an ideal complement to turkey’s mild taste. If you’re looking to take your turkey game to the next level this holiday season, rosemary is the secret weapon you need.

In this article, we’ll explore why rosemary and turkey are such a winning flavor combination You’ll also find tips for using fresh or dried rosemary to amplify the taste of your Thanksgiving or Christmas bird After reading this, you’ll be convinced that rosemary is the MVP for any turkey recipe.

Why Rosemary Goes So Well with Turkey

Turkey has a delicate, subtly sweet flavor that calls out for bold seasonings. On its own, turkey can be bland and dry. That’s where rosemary comes in. Here are some of the reasons these two ingredients go so well together:

Rosemary’s woodsy notes accentuate turkey’s natural taste The pine-like aroma of rosemary enhances the mild turkey flavor rather than covers it up Its fragrance whets the appetite and promises a flavorful meal.
It brings out the savory qualities. Rosemary contains aromatic oils that amplify umami or savory tastes Using rosemary will satisfaction with every juicy turkey bite.
The texture contrast is appealing. Flaky turkey meat with soft bits of rosemary creates an appealing textural combination.
Rosemary’s versatility allows different uses. You can use whole sprigs, chopped leaves, or ground rosemary to season turkey inside and out.
Rosemary improves moistness. The oils in rosemary will help keep turkey meat tender and moist, not dry.
It contains compounds that prevent spoilage. Natural antioxidants in rosemary will keep turkey fresher longer.

With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why rosemary should be your go-to herb for turkey.

Best Ways to Use Rosemary with Turkey

Luckily, rosemary’s adaptable nature gives you options when seasoning turkey. Here are some of the best ways to incorporate its flavor:

Herb Butter Under the Skin

One popular technique is to mix chopped rosemary into softened butter. Gently loosen the turkey skin and spread the flavored butter all over the breast meat before roasting. As the butter melts, it will impart moisture and release rosemary’s aroma.

Sprigs in the Cavity

For a zero-effort method, simply place fresh rosemary sprigs inside the turkey cavity. As the turkey roasts, heat will activate the essential oils in rosemary to infuse the meat with natural flavor.

Dry Rub

Chopped fresh rosemary or dried rosemary leaves can be added to any dry spice rub for the turkey. Massage the rub under and on top of the skin for intense rosemary flavor with a crispy seasoned exterior.

Fresh Chopped Leaves

Mince fresh rosemary leaves and sprinkle them on the turkey for the last 10-15 minutes of roasting. This adds a pop of flavor and aroma before serving without burning the delicate leaves.

Rosemary Infused Oil

For next-level flavor, steep rosemary sprigs in oil for a week before using it to coat the turkey skin. Brush on the infused oil to get every bit of rosemary essence.

Stuff the Cavity

Place whole stalks of rosemary inside the turkey along with lemon wedges, garlic, onions, and herbs. As it roasts, the turkey interior will become wonderfully seasoned.

Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Roast halved small potatoes tossed in olive oil and minced rosemary alongside the turkey for a flavorful side dish. The aroma will further season the turkey.

As you can see, rosemary offers boundless ways to infuse turkey with its magical flavor. Keep these tips in mind when using it in your next recipe.

Best Recipes for Rosemary Turkey

To get you started, here are some classic recipes that showcase rosemary’s winning flavor with turkey:

Simple Rosemary Roasted Turkey

The basic method for rosemary turkey perfection. Baste the exterior with herb butter and stuff the cavity with rosemary sprigs. Roast until golden brown and let the rosemary work its magic.

Maple Rosemary Smoked Turkey

For next-level flavor, smoke the turkey seasoned with maple syrup, rosemary, garlic, and onion. Sweet maple and savory rosemary make an incredible pair.

Roasted Rosemary Turkey Breast

A smaller cut of turkey seasoned with rosemary still delivers on big flavor. Roast bone-in turkey breast rubbed with minced rosemary, garlic, and olive oil.

Rosemary Turkey Legs

For a fun and unfussy meal, roast turkey drumsticks coated in a rosemary balsamic glaze. The dark meat soaks up the flavors beautifully.

Rosemary Turkey Meatballs

Add chopped rosemary to the ground turkey mixture before forming into meatballs. Bake or simmer in tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly option.

Rosemary Turkey Burger

To make juicy grilled turkey burgers, add minced fresh rosemary leaves to the ground turkey. Top with rosemary aioli for extra herby goodness.

Rosemary Turkey Gravy

No turkey meal is complete without gravy. Simmer rosemary sprigs in turkey drippings along with onions, garlic, sage, and broth. Strain and serve.

The aroma, flavor, and versatility of rosemary make it a perfect match for any turkey dish. This holiday season, keep this powerful herb close by as you prepare turkey and enjoy the wonderful results. Your taste buds and family will be thankful.

is rosemary good on turkey

Ingredients For mom’s thanksgiving rosemary roasted turkey

3/4 c olive oil
3 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp chopped, fresh rosemary
1 Tbsp chopped, fresh basil
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 12 lb. turkey

How To Make mom’s thanksgiving rosemary roasted turkey

1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2 In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, basil, Italian seasoning, black pepper and salt. Set aside.
3 Wash the turkey inside and out; pat dry. Remove any large fat deposits.
4 Loosen the skin from the breast. This is done by slowly working your fingers between the breast and the skin.
5 Work it loose to the end of the drumstick, being careful not to tear the skin.
6 Using your hand, spread a generous amount of the rosemary mixture under the breast skin and down the thigh and leg.
7 Rub the remainder of the rosemary mixture over the outside of the breast.
8 Use toothpicks to seal skin over any exposed breast meat.
9 Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the pan.
10 Roast in the preheated oven 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the bird reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).
Last Step: Dont forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!

You’ll Never Go Back To Your Old Turkey Method After This

FAQ

Why do they put rosemary in ground turkey?

Rosemary extracts have been added to commercially produced ground turkey meat, because they slow pigment oxidation from red (myoglobin and oxymyoglobin) to brown (metmyoglobin) via oxidation of the heme pigment. The short shelf life of ground chicken is 1 limitation for it use as a retail product.

What meats can you put rosemary on?

In cooking, rosemary is used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, such as soups, casseroles, salads, and stews. Use rosemary with chicken and other poultry, game, lamb, pork, steaks, and fish, especially oily fish. It also goes well with grains, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, and spinach.

What herbs go well with ground turkey?

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.