Best Juicy Turkey Recipe
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
910 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Best Juicy Turkey Recipe
Description
Best Juicy Turkey Recipe provides a thorough approach to roasting a large turkey with a flavorful butter herb rub under the skin and inside the cavity, incorporating dried parsley and fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. The bird is roasted on a foil-lined pan at 350°F, covered loosely with foil at first for even cooking and moisture retention, then uncovered to brown the skin. A bottle of sweet sparkling wine or ginger ale poured over the turkey adds moisture and subtle sweetness to the pan juices.
The use of quartered apple, celery stalks, and onion added inside the cavity contributes additional aromatic notes during roasting, imparting gentle sweetness and freshness. The lengthy roasting time and hourly basting help ensure the turkey remains juicy and develops a golden exterior. After resting, pan drippings are strained and used to make a velvety turkey gravy with butter, flour, and broth, enhanced by the natural juices skimmed from the fat separator.
This turkey is suited for holiday dinners or special occasions where a moist, herbaceous roast bird with classic flavors is desired. It pairs well with traditional sides and provides a rich gravy to complement slices.
The notes emphasize substituting ginger ale for sparkling wine if preferred, and recommend separating pan liquids to remove fat and retain flavorful browned bits for gravy base. This technique preserves the integrity of the gravy’s texture and taste.
Ingredients
Turkey:
- 1 12-15 pound turkey
- 1/2 cup butter , softened
- 2 tablespoons parsley dried
- 2 tablespoons rosemary minced, fresh
- 2 tablespoons thyme minced, fresh
- 2 tablespoons sage minced, fresh
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 apple , cored and qaurtered
- 2 celery roughly chopped, stalks
- 1 white onion , peeled and quartered
- 1 750 ML sweet sparkling wine bottle
Turkey Gravy:
- 1/4 cup butter unsalted
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium or vegetable broth
- 2-4 tablespoons turkey drippings
- sea salt coarse
- black pepper coarse
Instructions
Turkey:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil (for easier clean up).
- In a small bowl, combine the butter with the parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, Kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- Using your fingers, loosen skin from turkey meat. Massage the butter mixture between skin and meat, and also a little in the cavity.
- Stuff the cavity with the apple, celery and onion.
- Place the turkey, breast side up, in the roasting pan.
- Pour the champagne (or ginger ale) over the turkey. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, being careful to not have aluminum foil touch the skin.
- Bake the turkey for 3 hours, basting once per hour. Remove and take off aluminum foil. Baste with juices and champagne in the bottom of the pan.
- Return to the oven uncovered for 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 180°F at the meatiest part of the thigh. Turkey should be a golden brown.
- Remove from oven and carefully tent with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 15-30 minutes while you make the gravy.
- Remove cavity stuffing, carve and serve with turkey gravy.
Turkey Gravy:
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk with flour until a paste forms.
- Continue to whisk until the roux (butter and flour) start to brown and become fragrant, this can take up to 15 minutes depending on how hot your stove is.
- Slowly add the broth, whisking well until smooth. Add the drippings.
- Taste test for seasoning and correct with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, please come back to give it a rating and let us know how you liked it in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
- Ginger ale can replace sparkling wine for a milder, non-alcoholic alternative.
- Use a fat separator to pour drippings from under the turkey, capturing flavorful juices and discarding excess fat to improve gravy texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 910 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 910kcal | 46% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 114g | 228% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 407mg | 136% |
| Sodium | 1577mg | 66% |
| Potassium | 1354mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 840IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 6.1mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 5.5mg | 31% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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