Best 8 Classic Roast Turkey With Herbed Stuffing And Old Fashioned Gravy Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless tradition of a classic roast turkey dinner, a centerpiece of many joyous gatherings. This exceptional dish, crafted with love and expertise, promises a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The succulent turkey, roasted to golden perfection, exudes an irresistible aroma that fills the air, beckoning you to partake in its delectable goodness. Accompanying the majestic turkey is an array of delectable dishes that elevate the dining experience. Dive into the savory depths of the herb-infused stuffing, a harmonious blend of aromatic herbs, tender vegetables, and fluffy bread crumbs, all nestled within the turkey's cavity. Savor the velvety smoothness of the old-fashioned gravy, a rich and flavorful sauce that enhances every bite of turkey and stuffing. Complement your meal with a selection of homemade cranberry sauce, a tart and tangy condiment that provides a delightful contrast to the richness of the turkey. As you relish each morsel of this classic roast turkey dinner, let the warmth of tradition envelop you, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ROAST TURKEY WITH GRAVY



Roast Turkey with Gravy image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h55m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

1 (12 to 14 pound) turkey
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 medium onions
1 head garlic
Several sprigs of fresh herbs, such as thyme, parsley, rosemary, or sage
2 bay leaves
2 to 4 medium carrots
2 to 4 celery stalks
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 cups chicken broth (about 4 small cans or 2 quart boxes)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Dash Worcestershire sauce
Apple Cranberry Dressing, recipe follows
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
1 pound sliced country white sandwich bread
1 large cooking apple, such as Gravenstein, or Golden Delicious
1 medium onion
2 ribs celery with leaves
1/2 cup dried apricots
Handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch fennel seeds, optional
3 cups chicken broth (about 1 1/2 small cans)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons turkey or chicken pan drippings or melted butter

Steps:

  • Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and remove the other racks. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Discard the liver, set the others aside. Dry the turkey inside and out with paper towels. Season the breast cavity with salt and pepper. Slice the onions and halve the garlic head crosswise. Stuff all the garlic and half the onions inside the turkey along with some of the herbs and 1 bay leaf. Halve the carrots and celery lengthwise; put them in the center of roasting pan and set the turkey, breast side up, on top of the vegetables.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, and brush about half of it all over the bird, season the skin with salt and pepper. Tent turkey with aluminum foil and roast for 2 hours. Set aside about 3 tablespoons of the butter for basting the bird.
  • Cook the rest of the onion, neck and giblets in the remaining butter in the saucepan, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until browned, about 15 minutes. Add the broth, remaining herbs, and bay leaf; cover and simmer over medium-low heat while the turkey roasts, about 2 hours. Discard the giblets if desired, or reserve for giblets gravy. After 2 hours, remove the foil from the turkey and use a pastry brush or bulb baster to baste turkey with the reserved butter and some of the pan drippings. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F and continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer stuck in the thigh registers between 170 and 180 degrees F, about 1 hour more. Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest 15 to 20 minutes before carving.
  • For the Gravy: Pour all the turkey pan drippings into a liquid measuring cup and discard the vegetables. Ladle off 1/2 cup of the fat from the top of the drippings, and transfer to a saucepan. (Put measuring cup with remaining drippings and fat in the freezer for a few minutes to separate.) Heat fat over medium heat, scatter the flour evenly on top and cook, stirring constantly, with a wooden spoon until the flour browns slightly and smells toasty, about 4 minutes. Switch to a whisk; then gradually and carefully ladle the hot broth into the flour mixture while whisking constantly. Bring the gravy to a boil; adjust the heat so it simmers gently. Skim and discard any excess fat from the remaining drippings, and add the pan juices to the gravy. Continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, until the gravy is thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with the Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Remove and discard onion, garlic, herbs, and bay leaf from the turkey cavity. Pour any juices that have accumulated into the gravy, Carve the turkey.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a shallow 3-quart casserole.
  • Cut or tear bread into bite-size pieces. Lay bread pieces in a single layer on 1 or 2 baking sheets. Bake until slightly dry and crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool.
  • Peel, core, and coarsely chop the apple. Coarsely chop the onion, celery, and apricots. Chop the parsley.
  • Melt the 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apple, onion, celery, apricots, cranberries, thyme, salt, and fennel seeds; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and parsley and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
  • Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add the toasted bread and the onion and fruit mixture; toss until evenly moistened. Loosely pack the dressing into the prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, until the top is crusty, about 40 minutes. Drizzle the pan drippings or melted butter over the top. Cook until the top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes more.

ROAST TURKEY WITH STUFFING AND GRAVY



Roast Turkey with Stuffing and Gravy image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 small (8 to 10) pound turkey, thawed, rinsed and giblets removed
4 slices bacon
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 cups mushrooms
2 teaspoons celery seed
Butter
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons ground sage
6 cups plain stuffing croutons, store bought
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup water

Steps:

  • In a non-stick skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain. Allow bacon to cool and crumble. Add onions and celery to bacon fat and cook until tender. Stir in mushrooms and cook until golden. Stir in seasonings. Remove skillet from heat and let cool.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Soak 3 cups stuffing croutons in water. Squeeze out water from croutons so that they are moist but not soggy. In a large bowl, combine dry and moist croutons with onion mushroom mixture. Mix in eggs and moisten with water if necessary. Fill cavity of turkey with stuffing. Cover opening of cavity with foil. Tuck wings under turkey. Make a small slit in neck skin and tuck legs through slit to secure. Transfer leftover stuffing to a baking dish, cover with foil and bake alongside turkey. (This may need to be moistened.) Place stuffed turkey in roasting pan. Rub turkey with butter and season. Roast uncovered for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue roasting for approximately 3 hours or 15 to 20 minutes per pound. Baste the turkey with its drippings occasionally as it cooks. Turkey is done when pricked with a knife on the thigh the juices run clear. When turkey is done, transfer to a cutting board and cover with foil. Allow turkey to rest so that juices can be reabsorbed. Place roasting pan over medium high heat. Skim off excess fat with a spoon and reserve in a bowl. Add 3 cups hot chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan. In a small dish, combine into a paste 3 tablespoons flour with 3 tablespoons of reserved fat. Whisk flour mixture into simmering gravy. Season with salt and pepper.

CLASSIC ROAST TURKEY



Classic Roast Turkey image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 4h40m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 12- to 14-pound turkey (thawed if frozen)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 onion, quartered
1 carrot, cut into chunks
1 stalk celery, cut into chunks
3 sprigs sage, plus 1 tablespoon chopped leaves
3 sprigs thyme, plus 1 tablespoon chopped leaves
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons paprika
Classic Gravy, recipe follows
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more as needed
Turkey neck and giblets (liver discarded)
1 onion, quartered
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
8 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth, plus more as needed
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Turkey pan drippings
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Let the turkey sit at room temperature, 30 minutes. Position an oven rack in the lowest position (remove the other racks); preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and set aside for the gravy. Pat the turkey very dry with paper towels and rub inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the onion, carrot, celery, and sage and thyme sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Put the turkey on a rack set in a large roasting pan and tuck the wings under the body.
  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat; whisk in the paprika and chopped sage and thyme. Let the paprika butter cool slightly, then brush all over the turkey. Transfer to the oven and roast 1 hour. Meanwhile, make Classic Gravy.
  • After the turkey has roasted 1 hour, baste with the drippings. Continue roasting, basting every 30 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 2 more hours.
  • Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving; reserve the drippings for the gravy.
  • Prepare the stock: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the turkey neck and giblets; cook, turning, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, thyme and bay leaves; stir to coat. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, reduce the heat to low and simmer about 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup; reserve the saucepan. You should have 7 cups stock-if you're short, add more broth.
  • Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in the reserved saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the 7 cups stock; bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside until the turkey is done.
  • Pour the turkey pan drippings into a fat separator and let stand until the fat rises to the top. Discard the fat (or drizzle on your stuffing). Whisk the defatted drippings into the gravy; season with salt and pepper. Reheat before serving.

CLASSIC STUFFED TURKEY



Classic Stuffed Turkey image

For years, my mother has made this moist stuffed turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. -Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h5m

Yield 12 servings (10 cups stuffing).

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 large onions, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup butter
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons rubbed sage
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon pepper
12 cups unseasoned stuffing cubes
Warm water
1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
Melted butter

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute the onions, celery and mushrooms in butter until tender. Add broth and seasonings; mix well. Place bread cubes in a large bowl; add mushroom mixture and toss to coat. Stir in enough warm water to reach desired moistness. , Just before baking, loosely stuff turkey. Place any remaining stuffing in a greased baking dish; cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush with melted butter., Bake turkey, uncovered, at 325° for 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 180° for the turkey and 165° for the stuffing, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.), Bake additional stuffing, covered, for 30-40 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Cover turkey with foil and let stand for 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving. If desired, thicken pan drippings for gravy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 571 calories, Fat 26g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 153mg cholesterol, Sodium 961mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 44g protein.

ROAST TURKEY WITH HERBED OYSTER STUFFING AND GIBLET GRAVY



Roast Turkey with Herbed Oyster Stuffing and Giblet Gravy image

Categories     Herb     turkey     Roast     Thanksgiving     Stuffing/Dressing     Bacon     Oyster     Sage     Thyme     Gourmet

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

For the stuffing
two 1/2-pound loaves of day-old Italian or French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
3 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 tablespoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves or 2 teaspoons dried sage, crumbled
2/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
18 oysters, shucked and chopped, reserving the liquor for another use
a 12- to 14-pound turkey, the neck and giblets (excluding the liver) reserved for making turkey giblet stock
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cupturkey giblet stock or chicken broth
For the gravy
1 cup dry white wine
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups turkey giblet stock , including the reserved cooked neck and giblets
parsley sprigs and thyme sprigs for garnish

Steps:

  • Make the stuffing:
  • In 2 shallow baking pans or jelly-roll pans arrange the bread cubes in one layer, bake them in a preheated 325°F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden, and transfer them to a large bowl. In a large skillet cook the bacon over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is crisp, transfer it with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, and pour off all but about 1/4 cup of the fat. In the fat remaining in the skillet cook the garlic, the onion, and the celery with the thyme and the sage over moderately low heat, stirring, until the vegetables are softened and transfer the mixture to the bowl. Add the parsley, the melted butter, the oysters, the bacon, and salt and pepper to taste, toss the stuffing well, and let if cool completely. The stuffing may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. (To prevent bacterial growth do not stuff the turkey cavities in advance.)
  • Rinse the turkey, pat it dry, and season it inside and out with salt and pepper. Pack the neck cavity loosely with some of the stuffing, fold the neck skin under the body, and fasten it with a skewer. Pack the body cavity loosely with some of the remaining stuffing and truss the turkey. Transfer the remaining stuffing to a buttered 3-quart baking dish and reserve it, covered and chilled.
  • Spread the turkey with 1/2 stick of the butter and roast it on a rack in a roasting pan in a preheated 425°F. oven for 30 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 325°F., baste the turkey with the pan juices, and drape it with a piece of cheesecloth, soaked in the remaining 1 stick butter, melted and cooled. Roast the turkey, basting it every 20 minutes, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours more, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the fleshy part of a thigh registers 180°F. and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a skewer. During the last 1 1/2 hours of roasting, drizzle the reserved stuffing with the stock, bake it, covered, in the 325°F. oven for 1 hour, and bake it, uncovered, for 30 minutes more. Discard the cheesecloth and string from the turkey, transfer the turkey to a heated platter, reserving the juices in the roasting pan, keep it warm, covered loosely with foil.
  • Make the gravy:
  • Skim all of the fat from the roasting pan juices, reserving 1/3 cup of the fat, and add the wine to the pan. Deglaze the pan over moderately high heat, scraping up the brown bits, and boil the mixture until it is reduced by half. In a saucepan combine the reserved fat and the flour and cook the roux over moderately low heat, whisking, for 3 minutes. Add the stock and the wine mixture in a stream, whisking, and simmer the gravy, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the reserved cooked giblets and neck meat, chopped, and salt and pepper to taste, simmer the gravy for 2 minutes, and transfer it to a heated sauceboat.
  • Garnish the turkey with the parsley and thyme sprigs and serve it with the gravy and the stuffing.

OLD-FASHIONED ROASTED TURKEY WITH GRAVY



Old-Fashioned Roasted Turkey With Gravy image

Get ready for Thanksgiving! When you make this, start cooking the giblets, neck and vegetables the last 45 minutes of baking.

Provided by KittyKitty

Categories     Sauces

Time 6h30m

Yield 1 turkey, 12-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 (14 -16 lb) whole turkey
1 1/2 teaspoons mixed-up salt, divided (I use Jane's Krazy Original Mixed-Up Salt)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning, divided
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon pepper
5 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 carrots, sliced
3 celery ribs, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
fresh parsley
orange slice
fresh cranberries

Steps:

  • Remove giblets and neck from turkey, and chill for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
  • Combine 1 teaspoons each mixed-up salt, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, sage, and pepper; sprinkle cavity and outside of turkey with mixture.
  • Place turkey, breast side up, in a large roasting pan, tucking wingtips under. Pour 2 cans chicken broth into roasting pan; drizzle melted butter over turkey.
  • Bake, uncovered at 450°F for 1 hour. reduce heat to 425°F, shield with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 180F, basting every 45 minutes with pan drippings.
  • Bring remaining 3 cans broth, neck, giblets, carrots, and next 3 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  • Remove turkey to a serving platter, reserving drippings in roasting pan. Skim excess fat from drippings in pan, if desired.
  • Pour giblet mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into drippings in roasting pan, discarding solids. Bring to a boil in roasting pan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to loosen browned bits on bottom of pan.
  • Stir together flour and 1/2 cup water until smooth; add to giblet mixture, and over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoons each of mixed-up salt, garlic powder, and poultry seasoning. Serve with turkey. Garnish if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 747.8, Fat 39.9, SaturatedFat 13.9, Cholesterol 283.7, Sodium 1171.9, Carbohydrate 7.5, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 1.6, Protein 83.8

ROAST TURKEY WITH HERBED BREAD STUFFING AND GIBLET GRAVY



Roast Turkey with Herbed Bread Stuffing and Giblet Gravy image

Categories     Poultry     turkey     Roast     Thanksgiving     Stuffing/Dressing     Fall     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

12- to 14-lb kosher turkey, feathers removed if necessary, neck and giblets (excluding liver) reserved for making stock
Herbed bread stuffing
3/4 stick unsalted butter
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup water
For gravy
Pan juices reserved from turkey
4 cups turkey giblet stock
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Garnish: fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme sprigs

Steps:

  • Make turkey giblet stock and herbed bread stuffing.
  • Roast turkey:
  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out. Loosely fill neck cavity with some of stuffing. Fold neck skin under body and fasten with a small skewer. Loosely fill body cavity with some stuffing and tie drumsticks together with kitchen string. Transfer remaining stuffing to a buttered 3-quart shallow baking dish and chill, covered. Secure wings to body with small skewers if desired for a nicer appearance.
  • Put turkey on a rack set in a flameproof roasting pan. Roast turkey in middle of oven 30 minutes. Melt 1/2 stick butter. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and pour melted butter over turkey. Roast turkey, basting every 20 minutes, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours more, or until a thermometer inserted in center of stuffing in body cavity registers 165°F (thigh will be about 180°F). Transfer turkey to a heated platter and keep juices in pan. Remove skewers and discard string. Transfer stuffing from cavities to a serving dish and keep warm, covered. Let turkey stand at least 30 minutes and up to 45.
  • Increase temperature to 375°F. Stir together chicken broth and water and drizzle over uncooked stuffing in baking dish. Dot stuffing with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and bake in middle of oven 40 minutes while turkey stands; for moist stuffing, bake covered entire time; for less moist stuffing with a slightly crisp top, uncover after 10 minutes.
  • Make gravy:
  • Skim fat from pan juices and reserve 1/4 cup fat. Add 1 cup giblet stock to roasting pan and deglaze over moderately high heat, scraping up brown bits. Add to remaining 3 cups stock and bring to a simmer. Whisk together reserved fat and flour in a large heavy saucepan and cook roux over moderately low heat, whisking, 3 minutes. Add hot stock to roux in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in additional juices from turkey platter and season gravy with salt and pepper.

CHEF JOHN'S ROAST TURKEY AND GRAVY



Chef John's Roast Turkey and Gravy image

The biggest myth in all of American cookery is the belief that a juicy, perfectly cooked turkey is difficult for the novice cook to achieve. One of the secrets to a moist, delicious, and beautiful turkey is spreading butter under the skin. You can season the butter any way you want; the possibilities are endless.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Whole Turkey Recipes

Time 4h55m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets reserved
2 onions, coarsely chopped
3 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
½ bunch fresh sage
½ cup butter
1 bay leaf
6 cups water
2 tablespoons turkey fat
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups turkey pan drippings
¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Mix 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Tuck turkey wings under the bird, and season cavity with about 1 tablespoon of the poultry seasoning mixture. Reserve remaining poultry seasoning mix.
  • Toss the onion, celery, and carrots together in a bowl. Stuff about 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture, rosemary sprigs, and 1/2 bunch sage into the cavity of the turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Loosen the skin on top of the turkey breast using fingers or a small spatula. Place about 2 tablespoons butter under the skin and spread evenly. Spread the remaining butter (about 2 tablespoons) all over the outside of the skin. Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with the remaining poultry seasoning mix.
  • Spread the remaining onion, celery, and carrots into a large roasting pan. Place the turkey on top of the vegetables. Fill the pan with about 1/2 inch of water. Arrange a sheet of aluminum foil over the breast of the turkey.
  • Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). Remove the foil during the last hour of cooking. Baste the turkey with the pan juices.
  • While the turkey is roasting, make stock: place neck, heart, and gizzards in a saucepan with the bay leaf and water. Simmer over medium heat for 2 hours. Strain the turkey giblets from the stock, and discard giblets. There should be at least 4 cups of stock.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Pour the pan juices, about 3 cups, into a saucepan and set aside. Skim off the turkey fat from the pan juices, reserving about 2 tablespoons.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the turkey fat and 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Transfer the onion from the roasting pan into the skillet. Cook and stir until the onion is browned, about 5 minutes, then stir in the flour. Continue to cook and stir for about 5 minutes more; whisk in 4 cups of the skimmed turkey stock and the reserved pan juices until smooth; skim off any foam. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Simmer until the gravy is thickened, whisking constantly, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped sage, and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 942.1 calories, Carbohydrate 4.6 g, Cholesterol 256.3 mg, Fat 70.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 68.7 g, SaturatedFat 22.8 g, Sodium 949.8 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

Tips:

  • Thaw the turkey properly: Place the frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey. For faster thawing, submerge the sealed turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey to thaw.
  • Prepare the stuffing just before roasting: This helps to prevent bacteria from growing. If you need to make the stuffing ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
  • Roast the turkey at 325°F (163°C): This allows the turkey to cook evenly without drying out. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
  • Let the turkey rest before carving: This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
  • Make gravy from the pan drippings: This is an easy way to add flavor to your gravy. Simply whisk together the pan drippings, chicken broth, and cornstarch until thickened.

Conclusion:

Roasting a turkey is a delicious and festive way to celebrate the holidays. By following these tips, you can ensure that your turkey is cooked perfectly and that your gravy is flavorful and delicious. So gather your family and friends, and enjoy a classic roast turkey dinner!

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