If you are looking for a Turkey recipe for Thanksgiving dinner but want a quick yet flavorful option that requires little to no brining, I have a suggestion. Check this Bobby Flay Roast Turkey that you can easily make at home, and thank me later for the recommendation.Â

What I love most about this recipe is that it doesn’t rely on complicated techniques or fancy tricks. It includes simple turkey roasting with a little basting and a sage-steeped gravy that enhances the overall flavor and aroma.
Moreover, the turkey is cooked over high heat at the start, yielding a crisp, golden exterior that enhances the overall experience. That said, a little basting will ensure the turkey is moist and tender.Â
Whether you are making this for a holiday table, a special family gathering, or simply to experience the quiet joy of roasting a turkey the right way, this recipe delivers everything you are craving. Give it a try, and this will become your go-to recipe for roasting the turkey.
Equipment Required
- Food Processor: You will need a food processor to blend the butter and herbs into a smooth mixture.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Use a measuring cup and spoon to ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
- Large Roasting Pan: Use a large roasting pan to cook the turkey.
- Oven: I preheat the oven to roast the turkey evenly.
- Medium Saucepan: Use a medium saucepan to warm chicken stock.
- Basting Spoon: I use a basting spoon to baste the turkey in the oven.
- Instant-read Thermometer:Â Use a thermometer to check the turkey’s internal temperature and determine whether it is cooked.Â
- Baking Sheet: Don’t forget to place a baking sheet under the drippings to collect them.
- Aluminum Foil: If your turkey is browning too quickly, cover it with foil and continue cooking.
- Sharp Knife: Use a sharp knife for slicing the turkey.
- Fine-mesh Strainer: To achieve a smooth gravy, use a strainer to separate flavorful pan juices from solids.
- Medium Saucepan: Use a saucepan to cook the gravy to the right consistency.
- Whisk: Make sure to whisk the gravy until there are no lumps.

Bobby Flay Roast Turkey Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 8 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities to adjust the number of servings.Â
For Turkey
- 12 Pound Whole Fresh Turkey: You can use frozen turkey for the recipe. Just make sure to bring the turkey to room temperature before roasting.Â
- 1 1/4 Stick Unsalted Butter: For a saltier, more flavorful result, use salted butter. You can also use olive oil to make it slightly healthier.
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Sage: You can use dried sage instead of fresh sage.
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary: Dried rosemary can also be used instead of fresh rosemary.
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Thyme Leaves: Use â…“ tablespoons of dried thyme instead of fresh thyme.
- 3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley: Curly parsley or a mix of cilantro and parsley can also be used instead of thyme.
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 3 Large Carrots: You can even use sweet potatoes instead of carrots to add the sweet notes.
- 3 Large Stalks of Celery: Fennel stalks or leeks are perfect substitutes for stalks of celery.
- 2 Large Onions: Shallots are a great alternative to onions.
- 8 Cups Homemade Chicken Stock: You can use low-sodium store-bought stock or vegetable stock.
- For Sage Gravy:
For Sage Gravy
- 100 g Turkey Neck: If you don’t have turkey neck, use Extra turkey drippings or chicken bones.Â
- ¼ Cup Fresh Sage Leaves: I use dried sage as it brings more earthy notes.Â
- 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tablespoons Flour: Make a cornstarch slurry and use it instead of flour.
- 1 Cup White Wine: If you are making the recipe for the kids, too, use chicken stock with a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.Â
- 4 Cups Sage-infused Stock: You can use regular stock with added sage while simmering.
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Fresh Sage
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Minutes | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 1 Hour 45 Minutes |
How To Make Bobby Flay Roast Turkey At Home

Step 1
Add turkey drippings to the pan and combine them with the stock.

Step 2
Further, add turkey neck to the pan and bring it to a boil.

Step 3
Season it with dried sage.

Step 4
Let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 5
Further, in a pan, prepare the roux by melting butter and combining it with flour.

Step 6
Now, put the prepared stock into the roux mixture.

Step 7
Then, add a splash of white and mix it well.

Step 8
Season it with salt, black pepper, and sage.

Step 9
Next, combine butter with rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and salt.

Step 10
Moving forward, season the turkey cavity with salt and black pepper.

Step 11
Put the onions, carrots, and celery into the cavity.

Step 12
Afterward, rub the turkey with the prepared butter-and-herb mixture.Â

Step 13
Again, season it with salt and black pepper.

Step 14
Place the remaining veggies on the roasting tray beneath the turkey.

Step 15
Place the tray in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Step 16
Finally, baste the turkey with chicken stock after every 15 minutes.

Step 17
Take the turkey out, place it on the baking sheet, and cover it with foil to let the turkey rest for a while. Slice, serve with the sage gravy, and enjoy.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- If you are using frozen turkey, bring it to room temperature before roasting.
- When roasting the turkey, start with high heat, then adjust as needed.
- If you want to baste the turkey, don’t do it hastily. Baste it for 15 minutes, and then you are good.
- Check the internal temperature with a thermometer; when it reaches 160°F, remove the turkey.
- Make sure that you don’t overcook the sage, or your turkey may get bitter.
- To adjust the thickness of the gravy, add a splash of warm stock and quickly whisk it.
FAQs About Bobby Flay Roast Turkey
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Bobby Flay Roast Turkey is a protein-rich main dish that offers a satisfying balance of healthy fats and minimal carbohydrates. Certainly, this dish is very satisfying, but make sure to consume it in moderation only.
| Calories | 100 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 26 mg |
| Sodium | 32 mg |
| Potassium | 91 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Vitamin A | 141 IU |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 17 mg |
| Iron | 0.4 mg |
You can even tweak the recipe and customize it as per your dietary needs. Simply use your choice of ingredients as substitutes, and you are good to go.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Low-Fat Version: Simply skip or reduce the butter and replace the rest with olive oil. Also, skip basting the turkey at every round and rely more on stock to keep it moist.
- Low Sodium Version: The recipe can be low in sodium by using unsalted butter and low-sodium chicken stock. Make sure to season the turkey gradually and taste it as you go.
Storing This Recipe
- Refrigeration: When the turkey cools, transfer it to an airtight container and store it for up to 3-4 days. Store the gravy in a separate container, and you are ready.
- Freezing: You can freeze the turkey easily in a freezer-safe container. This way, you can freeze it for up to months and enjoy it even after the holiday.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Mashed Potatoes are one of the classic options that you can serve with the Bobby Flay Roast Turkey. If you want, make some Mashed Potato Fries for a twist. I enjoy serving warm soups, such as Comforting Canadian Cheese Soup, and enjoying a full savory meal.
Printable Version
Bobby Flay Roast Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
For Turkey
- 12 Pounds Whole Fresh Turkey
- 1¼ Stick Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Sage
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 3 Large Carrots
- 3 Large Stalks Celery
- 2 Large Onions
- 8 Cups Homemade Chicken Stock
For Turkey
- 100 g Turkey Neck
- ¼ Cup Fresh Sage Leaves
- 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 1 Cup White Wine
- 4 Cups Sage-infused Stock
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Fresh Sage
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Measuring Cups And Spoons
- Large Roasting Pan
- Oven
- Medium Saucepan
- Basting Spoon
- Instant-read Thermometer
- Baking Sheet
- Aluminum Foil
- Sharp Knife
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
Instructions
- Add turkey drippings to the pan and combine them with the stock.
- Further, add turkey neck to the pan and bring it to a boil.
- Season it with dried sage.
- Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Further, in a pan, prepare the roux by melting butter and combining it with flour.
- Now, put the prepared stock into the roux mixture.
- Then, add a splash of white and mix it well.
- Season it with salt, black pepper, and sage.
- Next, combine butter with rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and salt.
- Moving forward, season the turkey cavity with salt and black pepper.
- Put the onions, carrots, and celery into the cavity.
- Afterward, rub the turkey with the prepared butter-and-herb mixture.Â
- Again, season it with salt and black pepper.
- Place the remaining veggies on the roasting tray beneath the turkey.
- Place the tray in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Finally, baste the turkey with chicken stock after every 15 minutes.
- Take the turkey out, place it on the baking sheet, and cover it with foil to let the turkey rest for a while. Slice, serve with the sage gravy, and enjoy.
Notes
- If you are using frozen turkey, bring it to room temperature before roasting.
- When roasting the turkey, start with high heat, then adjust as needed.Â
- If you want to baste the turkey, don’t do it hastily. Baste it for 15 minutes, and then you are good.Â
- Check the internal temperature with a thermometer; when it reaches 160°F, remove the turkey.Â
- Make sure that you don’t overcook the sage, or your turkey may get bitter.Â
- To adjust the thickness of the gravy, add a splash of warm stock and quickly whisk it.  Â
Nutrition
More Bobby Flay Recipes That You Can Try






Conclusion
If you are looking forward to making a full-fledged turkey meal for Thanksgiving, you need to check out Bobby Flay’s Roast Turkey. This recipe does not need brining and can be prepared with mild basting.
With just a handful of ingredients and time on hand, you can enjoy the full Thanksgiving flavors.

















