Roast Turkey with Orange Thyme Rub

User Reviews

5.0

159 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    40 mins

  • Cook Time

    4 hrs

  • Total Time

    4 hrs 40 mins

  • Servings

    6

  • Calories

    1107 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Roast Turkey with Orange Thyme Rub

Roast Turkey w/ Orange Thyme Rub is the BEST roasted turkey recipe. Juicy turkey guaranteed to give you the best drippings to make gravy!

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Ingredients

Servings

Turkey Seasoning:

  • 10-12 pound turkey
  • 4 large oranges
  • 4 cloves garlic grated or finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup butter room temperature

Turkey Stuffing:

  • 1 orange sliced
  • 1/2 red onion quartered
  • 5 star anise pods whole
  • 2-3 fresh thyme springs

Gravy:

  • 3/4 cup shallots , finely minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 3 prings fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
  • Orange slices optional for serving
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Instructions

Roasted Turkey:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
  2. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat turkey dry and allow to sit at room temperature while you prepare the seasoning.
  3. Zest and juice the oranges, reserving in separate bowls. 
  4. In the bowl of a small food processor, combine the garlic, thyme leaves, kosher salt, dark brown sugar, black pepper and orange zest. Pulse until coarse paste forms. Add the butter and blend well.  
  5. Loosen the skin of the turkey with your fingers. Smear the butter under the skin. Try to use as much as possible, but if there is any leftover, reserve for inside the cavity. 
  6. Stuff the cavity with orange slices, red onion, star anise, thyme sprigs, and any leftover compound butter.
  7. Truss the turkey to ensure even cooking and flavor. Place onto the roasting pan, breast side up.
  8. Inject the reserved orange juice into all areas of the turkey.
  9. Place the turkey in the oven, cooking for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast. If the turkey starts to brown too fast, place a piece of aluminum foil over the browning spots. Baste occasionally with polling liquids for flavor and to keep it moist.
  10. Take the turkey out of the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Garnish with additional orange slices and fresh thyme leaves. When ready to serve,  carve and serve with Red Wine Gravy (below).

Red Wine Gravy:

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the minced shallots. Saute until soft.
  2. Add the flour and stir into a paste (roux). Continue whisking, allowing the mixture to brown lightly.
  3. Whisk in the red wine and broth until smooth. Add the salt pepper and thyme and reduce to low heat for 15 minutes.
  4. Run the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and return to saucepan. Correct seasoning, if needed and serve!If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 
  5. Ladle out 1/3 cup of gravy to a small bowl and mix with cornstarch. Whisk back into the saucepan until blended and mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat immediately. Set side until ready to serve.
  6. If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

  • If you don't have a small food processor, finely mince all ingredients as best as possible and mash with butter using the back of a spoon or fork. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 1107kcal (55%) Carbohydrates 19g (6%) Protein 118g (236%) Fat 61g (94%) Saturated Fat 27g (135%) Cholesterol 467mg (156%) Sodium 2036mg (85%) Potassium 1456mg (42%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 1620IU (32%) Vitamin C 63.9mg (71%) Calcium 136mg (14%) Iron 5.5mg (31%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1107 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 1107kcal 55%
Carbohydrates 19g 6%
Protein 118g 236%
Fat 61g 94%
Saturated Fat 27g 135%
Cholesterol 467mg 156%
Sodium 2036mg 85%
Potassium 1456mg 31%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 1620IU 32%
Vitamin C 63.9mg 71%
Calcium 136mg 14%
Iron 5.5mg 31%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5.0

159 reviews
Excellent

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