Classic Christmas Turkey
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Ingredients
Herb Butter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp of dried sage
Turkey:
- 3 tbsp fresh mixed herbs
- 1 tsp of black pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 apple, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
Method
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a turkey roaster with aluminum foil sheets that will be long enough to wrap over the turkey.
- Make the herb butter by combining room temperature butter, with the remaining ingredients.
- Stir together the herbs, pepper, lemon and salt in a small bowl. Rub the mixture into the cavity of the turkey, then stuff with the celery, apple, onion, and carrot.
- Use your fingers to loosen and lift the skin above the breasts (on the top of the turkey) and smooth a few tbsp of the herb butter underneath.
- Microwave the remaining herb butter mixture for 30 seconds (it doesn’t need to be completely melted–just really softened). Use a basting brush to brush the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey, legs and wings.
- Place the turkey into the roasting pan.
- Bring the aluminum foil over the top of the turkey, and seal. Try to keep the foil from touching the skin of the turkey breast or legs.
- Bake the turkey in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear.
- Uncover the turkey, and continue baking until the skin turns golden brown, 30 minutes to 1 hour longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
- Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow resting in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice before slicing.
- SERVING SIZE:
- 7 - 8
- PREPERATION TIME:
- 4 hr 20 mins
- RECIPE FEATURES:
- Dairy Free
Nutritional Information
Calories: 381
Fat: 33g
Sodium: 2218 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 10.1g
Dietary Fiber: 2.1g
Total Sugars: 5.5g
Protein: 12.6g
