Description
Elevate your festive celebrations with this roast turkey recipe that promises tender meat and crispy skin.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 free-range turkey (about 5 kg)
- 2 onions (peeled, halved)
- 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 1 head of garlic (halved horizontally)
- 6 bay leaves
- Olive oil (to drizzle)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 375 g butter (softened)
- 3 cloves of garlic (peeled, crushed)
- 2 small lemons (juice and grated zest)
- A small bunch of flat-leaf parsley leaves (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F).
- In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix well.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic to the butter, stirring until fully blended.
- Carefully hollow out the turkey, seasoning the cavity with salt and pepper. Fill it with the halved onions, lemon, and garlic, along with 2 bay leaves.
- Loosen the turkey skin gently with your hands and spread the herb butter underneath, ensuring even coverage. Tuck the remaining 4 bay leaves under the skin.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting tray. Rub more butter over the skin and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Rub it in for even distribution.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (356°F) and roast the turkey for 150 minutes, basting every 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for about 45 minutes. Don’t forget to take out the bay leaves before carving!
- Serve with your favorite gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
Notes
For best results, use a meat thermometer to check if the turkey is cooked through. Remember to let the turkey rest before carving.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: roast turkey, Thanksgiving recipe, holiday meal, Gordon Ramsay turkey