Perfect Roasted Holiday Turkey
Ingredients
For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (4–6 kg), cleaned and patted dry
- 100 g softened butter
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp thyme or rosemary
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 2 celery sticks (optional)
- 3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (optional, for a richer color)
- Aluminum foil, for covering
For the Stuffing (Optional):
- 2 cups cooked rice
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup walnuts or almonds, chopped
- 2 Tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Turkey
- Rinse the turkey thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Make small incisions under the skin to allow the flavors to soak in.
2. Make the Butter Marinade
- In a bowl, mix together butter, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
- Gently rub the mixture under the skin and over the entire surface of the turkey for full flavor.
3. Prepare the Stuffing (Optional)
- In a pan, melt the butter and combine it with cooked rice, raisins, nuts, salt, and pepper.
- Lightly fill the turkey cavity with the mixture — don’t pack it too tightly.
4. Arrange in the Baking Tray
- Place onion, carrot, and celery at the bottom of a large roasting tray.
- Set the turkey on top.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen string, and cover the wing tips with foil to prevent burning.
5. Roast the Turkey
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cover the turkey loosely with foil and roast for 2½ to 3 hours, depending on its size.
- During the final 45 minutes, remove the foil to let the skin crisp and brown beautifully.
6. Glaze for a Golden Finish
- Mix honey and soy sauce together.
- Brush this glaze over the turkey in the final 10–15 minutes for a shiny, deep golden color.
7. Rest and Serve
- Once roasted, let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Serve warm with your favorite holiday sides and enjoy the festive feast!
