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holiday turkey

ClubFoody avatar
Recipe by
Francine Lizotte
@ClubFoody
Surrey South, BC

Juicy, flavorful and with the added Basil Lemon Butter, this is a Holiday Turkey you and your guests will not soon forget!

yield 1 large turkey
prep time 10 Min
cook time 3 Hr 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For holiday turkey

  • 1 lg
    turkey, neck and giblets reserved
  • 1/2 c
    red onions, roughly chopped
  • 4 lg
    sprigs rosemary
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    ground sage
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
  • 1/4 c
    basil lemon butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 c
    butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp
    smoked paprika, or as needed
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 c
    low-sodium chicken broth

How To Make holiday turkey

  • 1
    Preheat oven at 325ºF. Remove neck and giblets; set aside. Thoroughly rinse the turkey under cold water and drain well.
  • 2
    Transfer it to a cutting board and tuck wings under. Add onions, rosemary sprigs and freshly ground black pepper to the bird’s cavity.
  • 3
    Using a rubber spatula, gently slide it between the skin and the meat of each breast half to separate it making sure not to pierce or break the skin. Take about 2 tbsp. of Basil Lemon Butter per breast, slide it under the skin and move it around to evenly distribute it. Rub regular butter all over the bird and transfer to a roasting pan.
  • 4
    Season the turkey generously with paprika and more freshly ground black pepper. Pour chicken broth around the outside to jump start the pan juice. Cover legs with foil and loosely place a sheet of foil on top of the breast. Insert a probe in the thickest part of the thigh and transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 170ºF, basting often, about 3 ½ hours depending on the size of the turkey.
  • 5
    Remove the foil during the last hour of cooking. Baste the turkey with the pan juices. For brown crusty skin, increase temperature to broil. Remove turkey from oven, baste with broth from roasting pan, transfer to a serving plate and cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil; allow to rest in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
  • 6
    To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcjjTUsRi6I
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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