This perfect roasted turkey with sweet potatoes recipe brings together the comforting flavors of a traditional holiday dinner with the simplicity of a one-pan weeknight meal. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or just craving a wholesome roast, this recipe delivers juicy, golden-brown turkey paired with caramelized sweet potatoes infused with herbs and spices. It’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like a celebration and your dinner table feel like home.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan simplicity – Roast everything together for fewer dishes and deeper flavor
- Balanced and hearty – Protein-packed turkey + nutrient-rich sweet potatoes
- Perfect for holidays or weeknights – Elegant enough for guests, easy enough for dinner
- Customizable seasoning – Works well with classic herbs or spicy blends
- Make-ahead friendly – Prep the night before and roast when ready
Ingredients
For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs), thawed
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a rack in the center of the oven.
- Prepare the turkey
Remove giblets and pat turkey dry. In a small bowl, mix butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. Rub mixture all over turkey, including under the skin. Stuff cavity with lemon, onion, and garlic. - Prepare sweet potatoes
In a large bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange them around the turkey in the roasting pan. Tuck in a few rosemary sprigs if using. - Roast the turkey
Place turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 2.5–3 hours (or about 13 minutes per pound), basting every 30–45 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F. - Rest and serve
Remove turkey from oven and tent with foil. Let rest 20–30 minutes before carving. Stir sweet potatoes and return to oven if they need more caramelization.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Total Time: About 3.5 hours (including rest)
- Servings: 8–10
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 35g
- Sugar: 9g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
Tips & Variations
- Spice it up: Add chili flakes or Cajun seasoning to the sweet potatoes for a kick.
- Make it citrusy: Add orange zest to the butter rub for bright flavor.
- Add greens: Toss Brussels sprouts or carrots in with the sweet potatoes.
- Dry brine: Rub turkey with salt and refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours before roasting for extra juicy meat.
- Leftovers? Make sandwiches, turkey pot pie, or soup the next day.
FAQs
Can I use turkey breasts instead of a whole bird?
Yes! Bone-in turkey breasts cook faster and still yield juicy meat. Adjust the cook time accordingly (about 20 minutes per pound).
How do I keep the turkey moist?
Butter under the skin, frequent basting, and resting after roasting all help keep it tender and juicy.
Can I prep this ahead?
Absolutely. Season the turkey and cube the sweet potatoes the night before. Store separately and roast the next day.
Can I use regular potatoes instead?
You can! Yukon Gold or baby red potatoes work well as a substitute or addition.
Perfect Roasted Turkey with Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- – Roasting pan
- – Meat thermometer
- – Mixing bowls
- – Carving knife
Ingredients
- #### For the Turkey:
- – 1 whole turkey 10–12 lbs
- – 3 tbsp butter softened
- – 2 tsp salt
- – 1 tsp black pepper
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp paprika
- – 1 tsp dried thyme
- – 1 lemon halved
- – 1 onion quartered
- – 4 garlic cloves
- #### For the Sweet Potatoes:
- – 4 large sweet potatoes cubed
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tsp cinnamon
- – ½ tsp smoked paprika
- – Salt and pepper
- – Rosemary sprigs optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Rub turkey with butter-herb mixture. Stuff cavity with lemon, onion, garlic.
- Toss sweet potatoes with oil, spices. Spread around turkey in pan.
- Roast turkey 2.5–3 hours, basting every 30–45 minutes.
- Rest turkey 20–30 minutes before carving. Stir and roast sweet potatoes longer if needed.
Notes
– Dry-brining adds extra flavor and moisture.
– Great use of leftovers for sandwiches or soup.
Conclusion
This perfect roasted turkey with sweet potatoes brings together the classic flavors of a holiday roast with the ease of a simple sheet-pan supper. The crispy skin, tender meat, and herb-roasted sweet potatoes make this recipe a crowd-pleaser every time. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or a cozy fall evening, this dish deserves a permanent spot in your rotation.