Make Ahead PERFECT Turkey! #christmasdinner #holidayrecipes #turkeyrecipe

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is lower in saturated fat and adds flavor.

whole turkey

🥗Healthier: turkey breast

💰Cheaper: chicken

Turkey breast is leaner, while chicken is often more affordable.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth can be lower in sodium and calories.

fresh herbs

🥗Healthier: dried herbs

💰Cheaper: no herbs

Dried herbs are more accessible and have a longer shelf life.

Start the process the day before roasting the turkey by brining it in a salt bath for 12 to 15 hours.

Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry.

Do not stuff the turkey; instead, prepare aromatics to place inside the cavity.

Insert a shallot, lemon, and apple into the cavity of the turkey.

Add fresh herbs, including parsley and thyme, into the cavity without packing them too tightly.

Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C).

Massage about a quarter stick of room temperature butter into the skin of the turkey.

Do not add salt to the turkey as it has already been brined.

Pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist during cooking.

Place the turkey in the preheated 500°F oven for 30 minutes to crisp the skin.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens