Mayonnaise & Herb Roasted Turkey

Posted from shewearsmanyhats.com by Amy Johnson. "This recipe I’m sharing with you today for a Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey definitely calls for less. It’s pretty straightforward. And no, it doesn’t taste like mayonnaise. This is just one of the methods we use, but after great results each time, moist turkey, that tastes like turkey, hands-down, it’s our preferred way so far."

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 12 -14  lbs  whole turkey (totally thawed, tee-totally thawed)
• 6 -7  fresh sage leaves, rough chopped
• 5 -6  fresh thyme, stems
• 2 -3  springs rosemary
• 2 -3  springs oregano
• 1 1⁄2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 -2  tablespoon coarse salt
• 1 -2  tablespoon pepper
• 3  stalks celery, rough chopped
• 1  large onion, rough chopped
• 1⁄2 cup butter, salted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450-degrees F.
2. Lay turkey in a roasting pan.
3. Remove leaves from herbs stems. Add sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano to mayonnaise; combine well. Rub mayonnaise/herb mixture all over outside and interior of bird.
4. Liberally salt, and pepper turkey. Add the celery, and onion, inside and out, and tuck the butter in the cavity.
5. Roast turkey in 450-degrees F oven for 30 minutes. Then turn the oven down to 350-degrees F, and insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, being careful not to touch bone. Continue roasting, uncovered, until internal thermometer reaches 165-degrees F. Cover legs with foil partway through roasting if desired. Depending on size of turkey, total cook time will be around 1½-2 hours. Once the thermometer reaches 165-degrees F in the thigh, check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast to make sure it reads at least 165-degrees F as well.
6. Remove from oven. Cover loosely with foil and let rest for at least 20-30 minutes (depending on size) before carving.
7. Remember to reserve turkey drippings and juices for gravy.