Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey
Ingredients:
2 tbsps. dried parsley
2 tbsps. ground dried rosemary
2 tbsps. rubbed dried sage
2 tbsps. dried thyme leaves
1 tbsp. lemon pepper
1 tbsp. salt
1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth
1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne
Directions:
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line a turkey roaster with long sheets of aluminum foil that will be long enough to wrap over the turkey.
- Stir together the parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
- Rub the herb mixture into the cavity of the turkey, then stuff with the celery, orange, onion, and carrot.
- Truss if desired, and place the turkey into the roasting pan.
- Pour the chicken broth and champagne over the turkey, making sure to get some champagne in the cavity.
- Bring the aluminum foil over the top of the turkey, and seal. Try to keep the foil from touching the skin of the turkey breast or legs.
- Bake the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear.
- Uncover the turkey, and continue baking until the skin turns golden brown, 30 minutes to 1 hour longer.
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An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
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Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.