MAKE-AHEAD TURKEY AND GRAVY

Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy image

Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. -Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 5h5m

Yield 16 servings (2-1/2 cups gravy).

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
FOR SERVING:
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325°. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. Sprinkle with poultry seasoning and pepper. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together., Roast, uncovered, 30 minutes. In a 4-cup measuring cup, mix broth, herbs, lemon peel and juice, and garlic; pour over turkey. Roast, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 3 to 3-1/2 hours, basting occasionally with broth mixture. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly., Remove turkey from pan; let stand at least 20 minutes before carving. Skim fat from cooking juices., To freeze: Carve turkey and place in shallow freezer containers. Pour cooking juices over turkey; cool slightly, about 1 hour. Cover and freeze up to 3 months., To serve: Partially thaw turkey in refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350°. Transfer turkey and cooking juices to a large baking dish. Pour 1-1/2 cups broth over top. Bake, covered, until a thermometer inserted in turkey reads 165°, 50-60 minutes., To prepare gravy: Remove turkey to a platter, reserving broth mixture; keep warm. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in broth mixture; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve with turkey.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calories, Fat 22g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 218mg cholesterol, Sodium 434mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 64g protein.