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This orange herb turkey is juicy with perfectly crisp skin! It’s baked using the cheesecloth method which is about to be your new favorite way to roast a turkey.

roasted turkey on a serving platter

Why would you use cheesecloth to bake a turkey?

If you’ve never tried baking your turkey wrapped in a butter (or ghee) soaked cheesecloth, it’s about to change your Thanksgivings from here on out! The cheesecloth method is the ultimate way to bake a turkey!

  • It keeps it juicy. The cheesecloth helps to lock in moisture and keeps your turkey from drying out.
  • The skin is perfectly crispy. This method yields crispy skin every time.
  • It adds even more flavor. Since the cheesecloth is soaked in butter or ghee, it adds even more flavor.

The Ingredients for cheesecloth roasted turkey

  • Whole turkey
  • Orange
  • Butter or ghee. I opt for ghee as it’s lactose-free to make it more allergen friendly.
  • Herbs. I use a blend of rosemary, sage and thyme.
  • Onion, lemon, garlic, and shallot. This is used to stuff the turkey to infuse more flavor.

The tools for cheesecloth-roasted turkey

What kind of cheesecloth should you use to roast the turkey?

You’ll want to use a natural, unbleached cheesecloth like this!

How to make Cheesecloth Orange Herb Roasted Turkey

  • Prepare the herb butter. 

herb butter in a bowl

  • Season the turkey. Add some of the herb butter under the skin and evenly spread. Rub the remainder of the herb butter over the turkey.
  • Stuff the turkey with the aromatics and tie the legs. 

side by side photo of turkey stuffed and stuffing ingredients

  • Prep the cheesecloth with melted ghee and drape it over the turkey. 

side by side photo of cheesecloth in package and cheesecloth soaked in ghee.

side by side photo of turkey on a roasting rack with and without a cheesecloth.

  • Roat in the oven. Baste often until done.  Allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes before removing the cheesecloth. Carve the turkey and serve!

side by side photo of fully cooked turkey on a roasting rack with and without a cheesecloth.

Can you reuse the cheesecloth after roasting the turkey?

As seen in the pictures above, the cheesecloth gets very dried out in the roasting process. For this recipe, it’s one and done on the cheesecloth, but it’s definitely put to good use!

How long do you bake a turkey at 350 F?

The formula for roasting turkey at 350 F is 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey and 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. So for a 13 lb turkey, it would be about 3 hours.

How often should you baste a turkey?

Every 20-30 minutes is best!

How do you know the turkey is done?

You’ll definitely want an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. This prevents you from over or under-cooking the turkey. The turkey is done when the thermometer reads 165 F when inserted in the center of the breast and the thickest part of the thigh.

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Cheesecloth Orange Herb Whole Turkey

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  • Author: Michelle
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This orange herb turkey is juicy with perfectly crisp skin! It’s baked using the cheesecloth method which is about to be your new favorite way to roast a turkey.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the herb butter

  • 1/2 cup ghee (or butter)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped sage
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • Juice of one orange
  • Zest of half an orange

For the turkey

  • 1 whole turkey (I used a 13 lb turkey for this recipe)
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 shallot
  • 3–4 cloves garlic
  • 3–4 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup ghee, melted

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and set out a roasting pan with a roasting rack.
  2. Make the herb butter by combining the herbs with the softened butter or ghee. Add the orange juice, zest, salt, pepper, and garlic and stir until smooth and fully combined.
  3. Add the turkey to a roasting rack, breast side up, and carefully separate the skin from the breast with your fingers. Add some of the herb butter under the skin and evenly spread. Rub the remainder of the herb butter over the turkey.
  4. Stuff the turkey with onion, garlic, shallot, lemon, and herbs. Tie the legs together with the butcher’s twine.
  5. To prep the cheesecloth, melt 1/2 cup of ghee (or butter) in a small saucepan. Add the cheesecloth and carefully toss with tongs to totally saturate the cheesecloth.
  6. Drape the cheesecloth over the turkey so it is fully covering the turkey. Pour the chicken broth into the base of the roasting pan.
  7. Transfer the turkey to the oven and baste every 20-30 minutes. The formula for roasting turkey at 350 F is 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey and 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. If using a 13 lb turkey, you’ll roast the turkey for about 3 hours. The turkey is done when the thermometer reads 165 F when inserted in the center of the breast and the thickest part of the thigh.
  8. Allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes before removing the cheesecloth. Carve the turkey and serve!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 390
  • Fat: 14.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.9g
  • Fiber: 1.2g
  • Protein: 57.5g