No dry bird here!
Jake Sternquist
Roasting aturkey for Thanksgivingis an undertaking.
This million dollarturkey recipeis our answer to a disappointing main dish.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
A few simple steps help ensure this turkey comes out juicy and flavorful every time.
Here’s how to make our million dollar turkey.
What Makes This Turkey Million Dollar?
There are a few things that set thismillion dollarturkey recipe apart.
First, we’re making a bacon and onion mixture to rub under the skin.
As the turkey roasts, the mixture flavors the meat.
Next we’re wrapping the bird with more bacon which becomes crispy and golden as it roasts.
Finally, finish this Thanksgiving turkey recipe with a creamy homemade gravy.
Ingredients
Turkey
10slicesapplewood-smokedbacon
1mediumonion, finely chopped (1/2cup)
2tsp.sage
1(12 to 14-lb.
Using kitchen shears, finely snip 2 slices of the bacon.
Stir together snipped bacon, 1/2 cup chopped onion, and 2 Tbsp.
snipped sage; set aside.
Prep Turkey
Remove neck and giblets from turkey; discard.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Wrap Turkey
Sprinkle inside of body cavity with kosher salt and pepper.
Place sage sprigs and sweet onion wedges in cavity.
Pull neck skin to back and fasten with a small skewer.
Tuck drumstick securely to tail, if available.
Twist wing tips under back.
Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
Sprinkle turkey with additional salt and pepper.
Weave remaining 8 strips of bacon in a lattice pattern over the breast.
Tuck additional sage leaves into the lattice.
Insert an oven-going meat thermometer into center of inside thigh muscles.
The thermometer should not touch bone.
Cover turkey loosely with foil.
Roast
Roast 2 3/4 hours.
Roast 15 to 45 minutes more or until thermometer reaches 175F.
(The juices should run clear and drumsticks should move easily in their sockets.)
Let Rest
Cover turkey with foil; let stand for 15 minutes before carving.
Transfer turkey to a cutting board.
Remove and discard onion and sage from inside turkey.
Serve with Bacon and Onion Gravy.
Pour drippings through a sieve into a 2-cup glass measure.
Skim and reserve fat from drippings.
If necessary add enough melted butter to the reserved fat to make 1/4 cup.
Add enough broth to the drippings in measuring cup to make 1 3/4 cups total liquid.
Cook Bacon
In a large saucepan cook 3 slices bacon over medium heat until crisp-cooked.
Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from saucepan and drain on paper towels.
bacon drippings in saucepan; add 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1 tsp.
sage to the mixture.
Cook and stir about 4 minutes or until onion is tender.
Carefully add vinegar to skillet and cook until evaporated.
Finish Gravy
Add the 1/4 cup fat to the saucepan with the onion mixture.
Cook and stir over medium heat 2 minutes.
Add drippings mixture and cream all at once to flour mixture in saucepan, stirring until smooth.
Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly.
Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in remaining 1 tsp.
sage and crumbled bacon.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
