Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F

Step 2

Melt 1/2 cup butter in small sauce pan and add the zest of 1 lemon and juice, then add the chopped 1.5 teaspoons of fresh thyme, remove from heat

Step 3

Remove any giblets from the inside of the turkey and wash with cold water then pat dry

Step 4

Generously salt and pepper the inside of the turkey before transferring to the roasting pan

Step 5

Take room temperature butter that has been seasoned with salt and pepper and carefully separate the skin from the breast using your fingers(being careful not to tear the skin) and generously rub seasoned butter under the skin

Step 6

Add to the cavity of the turkey 1 whole lemon halved, bunch of thyme leaves, onion quartered and garlic head halved crosswise

Step 7

Take the slightly cooled butter, lemon and thyme mixture and brush over entire turkey

Step 8

Generously salt and pepper the outside of the turkey

Step 9

Fold wing tips under the turkey and tie the legs together with kitchen string

Step 10

Cook turkey at 350F I used a 13 pound turkey and it took about 3 hour and 15 minutes reaching an internal temperature of 175F, checking in the deepest part of thigh

Step 11

* general rule of thumb cook turkey 15-20 minutes per pound

Step 12

Once Desired internal temperature is reached tent lightly with foil and let the turkey rest for 30 minute before carving and most importantly Enjoy!