With the holiday season upon us, roasted turkey is one of the favorite traditional meals to serve. The following recipe will take you step-by-step through preparing a juicy turkey to feed six to eight people.

Ingredients

• 1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey, thawed
• ½ cup butter or margarine, softened and divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup fresh sage leaves
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 apple, halved
• 2 celery sticks, cut 3-inches in length
• 1 large onion, halved and peeled
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• Garnishes: fresh sage leaves and fresh thyme sprigs

Method

• Clean the inside of the turkey and remove the giblets with cold water, then dry the turkey.
• Stir ¼ cup of butter with salt and pepper and place under the skin of the turkey breasts.
• Carefully place sage leaves and thyme under the skin.
• Place apples, celery and garlic inside the turkey.
• Use remaining butter and rub the whole turkey.
• Place in roaster pan with rack.
• Bake for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours at 325 F (163 C) or until thigh reaches 170 F (77 C).
• Baste turkey periodically every 30-40 minutes.
• Remove turkey from roasting pan and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Slice and garnish with fresh sage and thyme.

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Questions?

If you have any questions about this recipe, contact me at jdetloff@airculinaire.com.