The Ultimate Roast Turkey Recipe with Healthy Gravy

Thanksgiving’s signature moment is that oven-roasted bird, and this roast turkey recipe from Thrive Market delivers—with confidence, flavor, and clarity. It calls for coconut oil basting, citrus and herb aromatics, and a two-step oven approach for a juicy, golden bird that commands attention.

If you’re asking how to roast a turkey in the oven, this recipe walks you through exactly that: start at high heat to set the skin, then lower the temperature and roast until the juices run clear. The internal meat does the work, while herbs, garlic, citrus, and aromatics amplify flavor from inside and out. Because this recipe calls only for a whole turkey and herbs/oils—not processed fillers or hidden additives—it stays true to a clean, straightforward roast.

Thanksgiving is the perfect context: friends, family, recipes passed down—and a well-roasted turkey is both tradition and centerpiece. This method balances reliability with bold flavor. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, following it gives you a bird that looks impressive, tastes deep, and easily takes pride of place on the holiday table.

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Roast Turkey with Healthy Gravy

Recipe Details

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Roast Turkey Ingredients

• 1 fresh, organic 10- to 13-pound turkey, cleaned, washed, and patted dry
• 2 oranges, cut in half
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• 6 cloves garlic (for cavity and under skin)
• 2 bunches parsley
• 2 bunches thyme
• 2 bunches rosemary
• 2 bunches sage (for cavity and under skin)
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 2-inch thick pieces
• Coconut oil (for basting and cavity)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 bunches of carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch piecess
• Turkey bone broth (optional, for basting)
• Sea salt and pepper

How to Make the Best Oven-Roasted Turkey

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Prepare the Turkey: Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with two halves of an orange, ½ lemon, 3 cloves garlic, bunches of parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage, and 2 slices of onion. Drizzle cavity with coconut oil.
3. Stuff the neck cavity with 2 cloves garlic and 1/2 lemon. Stuff sage leaves and 2 cloves garlic underneath skin of breast.
4. Brush the outside of the turkey with liberal amounts of coconut oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme leaves. Tie the legs together with cooking twine and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey.
5. Place cut carrots, rest of onion, 4 cloves of garlic, and remaining herbs and orange in the bottom of a large roasting dish. Toss with coconut oil and salt. Set turkey on top.
6. Roast: Place turkey in oven for 10 minutes, then without opening the door, turn down the temperature to 325 degrees and roast for 30 minutes more. Baste with juices every 15 minutes, roasting for a total of nearly 3 hours, or until the juices run clear when turkey is cut between the leg and the thigh. If juices run low, baste with turkey bone broth.
7. Remove from oven and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 15 minutes before carving. Reserve drippings and onions for cashew cream gravy, if desired.

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Healthy, Cashew Cream Gravy

Recipe Details

Yield: 6 servings
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight soaking time)

Healthy Gravy Ingredients

• Pan drippings from coconut oil-basted turkey
• 1 to 2 cups turkey bone broth
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 2 small bunches sage, leaves chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 cups cashews, soaked overnight in filtered water and then drained
• 3/4 cup caramelized onions from turkey pan
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

How to Make Healthy Gravy

1. Combine pan drippings from cooked turkey with 1 cup bone broth, shallots, sage, garlic, and bay leaves in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Cover and turn off heat. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves and place mixture in blender with soaked cashews and caramelized onions. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and liberal amounts of freshly ground pepper. Dilute with more bone broth to thin, if necessary.

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Roasted Turkey Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 8 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	1 serving (1/8 of turkey)
Calories	≈ 350 kcal
Protein	≈ 40 g
Carbs	≈ 5 g
Sugar	≈ 2 g
Fiber	≈ 1 g
Fat	≈ 19 g

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Roast Turkey Variations & Tips

• Spice it your way: Add smoked paprika, cumin, or a pinch of cayenne in the seasoning mix for a subtle depth.
• Alternate fats: Use ghee or butter instead of coconut oil (or a mix) for richer flavor or crispier skin.
• Herb stuffing tweak: Add fresh sage, thyme, or rosemary inside the cavity and under skin to infuse extra aromatics.
• Use bone broth baste: Keep extra turkey or chicken bone broth nearby to baste if drippings get low in the pan.
• Tent when needed: If the breast begins to overbrown, tent with foil mid-roast to protect it while legs finish cooking.
• Rest before carving: Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes after oven removal so juices redistribute and carving is easier.

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Best Roast Turkey Pairings

• Classic sides: Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or sweet potato mash.
• Roasted root vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts—roasted with herbs to echo the turkey flavors.
• Stuffing or dressing: Gluten-free or traditional, prepared in a same-flavor profile (herb, citrus) to match.
• Cranberry or fruit sauce: A tart, sweet compote to cut through the richness of turkey.
• Gravy or pan jus: Use the turkey drippings (or cashew cream gravy version from the recipe) to tie the plate together.

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When to Make Roast Turkey

• Thanksgiving dinner: The primary centerpiece for the holiday table.
• Holiday feasts (Christmas, Friendsgiving): Use this same roast method for any large festive gathering.
• Special family celebrations: Birthdays or anniversaries where a dramatic, roasted bird feels right.
• Entertaining holiday guests: Serve it with flair and let the turkey shine as your showpiece.
• Recipe demonstrations or cooking classes: Teaching “how to roast a turkey in the oven” is a perfect live showcase using this method.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont