Roast Turkey Recipe- Thanksgiving Special Recipe.
Thanksgiving, a time-honoured tradition, brings families and friends together to express gratitude and share a bountiful feast. At the heart of this cherished celebration is the quintessential roast turkey, perfectly seasoned and roasted to golden perfection, symbolizing the spirit of abundance and togetherness that defines this special holiday.
Ingredients:
For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, and sage)
- Optional: Additional herbs, spices, and aromatics to season the cavity (e.g., bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, or orange slices)
For the Stuffing (optional):
- 4 cups of your favourite stuffing
Instructions:
1. Thaw the Turkey:
If your turkey is frozen, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator well in advance according to the package instructions. It can take several days, depending on the turkey's size.
2. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
3. Prepare the Turkey:
a. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
b. Season the inside of the turkey cavity with salt and pepper and stuff it with quartered onion, lemon, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs.
c. Optional: Season the outside of the turkey generously with salt and pepper. You can also rub it with additional herbs, spices, and aromatics.
4. Truss the Turkey (Optional):
Trussing helps the turkey cook evenly. Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together and secure the wings against the body.
5. Prepare the Roasting Pan:
Place a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. This keeps the turkey from sitting directly on the bottom of the pan.
6. Butter the Turkey:
Rub the softened butter all over the outside of the turkey. This will help the skin brown beautifully and keep the meat moist.
7. Roast the Turkey:
Place the turkey on the roasting rack, breast-side up. Tent the turkey loosely with aluminium foil.
8. Roasting Time:
The general rule of thumb is to roast the turkey for about 15 minutes per pound but use a meat thermometer to be sure. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
9. Baste the Turkey (Optional):
Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan drippings if you prefer.
10. Rest the Turkey:
Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven, tent it with foil, and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, resulting in a juicier turkey.
11. Carve and Serve:
Carve the turkey and serve it with your favourite sides and gravy made from the pan drippings.
Enjoy your delicious roast turkey as the centrepiece of your Thanksgiving feast!
Also, check the other Thanksgiving special recipes:
Comments
Post a Comment