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The BEST Roast Turkey Recipe | Holiday Favourites

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With Wendy and Shannon
With Wendy and Shannon
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Recipe Information

Recipe Available
Video-Specific Recipe

Roast Turkey

Cultural Context

Roast turkey is a staple of Canadian Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday in October, and is often associated with harvest festivals. The dish symbolizes gratitude and abundance, bringing families together for a festive meal. While traditional recipes are common, many modern variations include unique marinades and stuffing, reflecting regional tastes and preferences.

North AmericanCAmain
180 min
medium
8 servings
Servings4
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon thyme
4 garlic cloves
zest of 1 lemon
zest of 1/2 orange
6 kg whole turkey
2 onions
1 lemon
1/2 orange
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 carrots
4 celery sticks
3 garlic cloves
2 stalks rosemary
small bunch thyme
few leaves sage
turkey neck and giblets

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil reduces saturated fat while adding flavor.

whole turkey

💰Cheaper: turkey breast

Turkey breast is less expensive and easier to cook.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians.

fresh herbs

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

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

1

Prepare herb garlic butter by mixing 3/4 cup unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, 1 tablespoon chopped thyme, 4 crushed garlic cloves, zest of 1 lemon, and zest of 1/2 orange.

2

Use a 6 kg fresh turkey, leaving it out of the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before prepping.

3

Remove giblets and neck from the turkey cavity.

4

Trim excess skin from the turkey using kitchen shears.

5

Pat dry the turkey skin to ensure crispiness.

6

Stuff the cavity with 2 coarsely chopped onions, 1 quartered lemon, 1/2 quartered orange, and a bouquet of rosemary, thyme, and sage.

7

Season the cavity with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

8

Loosen the skin from the turkey meat and spread herb garlic butter under the skin.

9

Season the outside of the turkey with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

10

Melt remaining butter and mix with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then brush it all over the turkey for even browning.

11

Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen string.

12

Chop 1 onion, 3 carrots, and 4 celery sticks, and smash 3 garlic cloves.

13

Toss the chopped vegetables into the roasting pan and sprinkle with 2 stalks rosemary, a small bunch of thyme, and few leaves sage.

14

Pour 1 cup of chicken stock into the roasting pan.

15

Transfer the turkey onto a roasting rack in the pan.

Cooking Techniques

bastingroasting

Equipment Needed

roasting pankitchen shearsbasting brushturkey string

Spice Level:

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dietary

gluten-free

Allergens

dairy

Also Known As

Thanksgiving TurkeyHoliday Turkey

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