Recipe: Classic Roast Turkey

 

Introduction:

Roast turkey is a centerpiece dish for Christmas, celebrated for its golden-brown, crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. This recipe walks you through creating the perfect turkey, complete with a simple herb butter and aromatic stuffing.

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Ingredients:

For the Turkey:

• 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 lemon (halved)
• 1 orange (halved)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

For the Stuffing:

• 2 cups bread cubes
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sage (dried)
• 1/2 tsp thyme (dried)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

For Garnish:

• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Orange slices

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Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Prepare the Herb Butter:
   In a bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.

3. Clean the Turkey:
   Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold water, then pat it dry with paper towels. Remove the giblets.

4. Stuff the Turkey:
   Combine the bread cubes, celery, onion, butter, chicken broth, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stuff the mixture into the cavity of the turkey.

5. Season the Turkey:
   Loosen the skin over the turkey breast and spread half of the herb butter directly under the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the turkey, including the legs and wings.

6. Add Aromatics:
   Place lemon and orange halves inside the cavity with some rosemary sprigs.

7. Roast the Turkey:
   Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large pan. Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 3–4 hours (15 minutes per pound), basting with pan juices every 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C).

8. Rest the Turkey:
   Remove the turkey from the oven and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 20 minutes to retain its juices.

9. Garnish and Serve:
   Place the turkey on a serving platter, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices, and serve with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy.

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Serving Size:

Serves 10–12 people.

Enjoy the rich flavors and festive aroma of this classic roast turkey recipe!