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Home · Recipes · Condiments, Sauces, and Marinades · How to Make Herb Butter for Turkey

Published: Nov 4, 2017 by Kelly Anthony · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

How to Make Herb Butter for Turkey

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How to make an herb butter for turkey and chicken. Featuring fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley.

A close up shot of compound butter that is is an orange and white bowl.

At first, like most new things, you may find the thought of an herb butter for a turkey to be a little intimidating. However, after giving it a go only once, your kitchen fears will be quickly put to rest, and herb butter will not only make a stellar debut on your Thanksgiving turkey but maybe even a whole roasted chicken and on homemade garlic bread as well.

HERB BUTTER FOR TURKEY

This herb butter recipe, in particular, was made to enhance the flavors of both turkey and chicken. It features a few of my favorite herbs most commonly found in poultry seasoning -- thyme, parsley, and sage. Fresh herbs make all the difference in the world, and add a beautiful brightness to savory roasted poultry.

A small orange and white decorative bowl full of compound butter that is topped with fresh herbs. Lying next to the bowl are fresh parsley leaves. In the background is a closed clear jar of spices.

SEASONING FOR HERB BUTTER

The second most important component of a herb butter for turkey is the seasoning. I use my TAK House Seasoning, and this in combination with the fresh herbs blows all other compound butters out of the water.

You most certainly do not have to use this seasoning blend, and if you have a favorite poultry seasoning, feel free to sub it in within this recipe. However, note this seasoning is versatile and goes such a long way.

It can be used to season chicken breasts, pork loin, turkey, and steaks directly and not just in a compound butter for poultry. It is a dinnertime game changer, and your family will totally love you for adding it to your repertoire.

USE A COMBO OF BUTTER AND OIL

The last, and also very important, component to our herb butter for turkey...butter! Well, butter in combination with another oil that is. When making a compound butter, it is very important that your butter is room temperature, so don't forget to set it out the night before or the morning you intend to use it.

HACK FOR ROOM TEMPERATURE BUTTER

If you forget to set out your butter, here is a kitchen hack for warming it up, without melting it: Place the butter on a plate in microwave on medium-level power. Then, microwave the butter for 10 seconds. Flip it over, and microwave it for another 10 seconds.

Your butter should be pretty close to room temperature by now, but if not, you could flip it and give it one more go at 10 seconds. Voila! Room temperature butter for the scatterbrained. Which is 100% me by the way.

In addition to the butter, use canola or vegetable oil in your compound butter, as it has a higher smoke point than olive oil, and will keep your turkey a beautiful golden-brown.

An overhead shot of Compound Butter that is topped with fresh herbs. Lying around the bowl are fresh sage, parsely, and sage leaves. At the top lying flat is a teaspoon spoon full of mixed spices.

You are well on your way to mastering the perfect herb butter for turkey, and all you needed was a little know-how, some fresh herbs, TAK House Seasoning, butter, and canola oil. This herb butter is quick and easy to whip up and adds amazing color and flavor to your roasted poultry.

Compound Butter for Poultry
Print Recipe
4.17 from 6 votes

Herb Butter for Turkey

A compound herb butter for turkey and chicken, featuring fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Herb Butter for Turkey
Servings: 8
Calories: 140kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons room temperature, unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 ½ tablespoon minced fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
  • 4 teaspoons TAK House Seasoning

Instructions

  • Using a whisk or fork, mix together butter, canola oil, minced herbs and TAK Seasoning until well-combined. 

Notes

Makes about ⅔ cup. 
Use the full recipe for 13-16 lb turkey and about ½ of the mixture for a 5-6 lb chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1.2mg

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HOW TO MAKE A COMPOUND BUTTER
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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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