Roast Turkey with Orange Thyme Rub

Roast Turkey w/ Orange Thyme Rub is the BEST roasted turkey recipe. Juicy turkey guaranteed to give you the best drippings to make gravy!

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About Recipe
Roast Turkey with Orange Thyme Rub

Roast Turkey w/ Orange Thyme Rub is the BEST roasted turkey recipe. Juicy turkey guaranteed to give you the best drippings to make gravy!

Ingredients :
  • Turkey Seasoning:
  • 10-12 pound turkey
  • 4 large oranges
  • 4 cloves garlic grated or finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup butter room temperature
  • Turkey Stuffing:
  • 1 orange sliced
  • 1/2 red onion quartered
  • 5 star anise pods whole
  • 2-3 fresh thyme springs
  • Gravy:
  • 3/4 cup shallots , finely minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 3 springs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
  • Orange Slices optional for serving
Directions :

  1. Roasted Turkey:

  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up.

  3. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat turkey dry and allow to sit at room temperature while you prepare the seasoning.

  4. Zest and juice the oranges, reserving in separate bowls.

  5. In the bowl of a small food processor, combine the garlic, thyme leaves, kosher salt, dark brown sugar, black pepper and orange zest. Pulse until coarse paste forms. Add the butter and blend well.

  6. Loosen the skin of the turkey with your fingers. Smear the butter under the skin. Try to use as much as possible, but if there is any leftover, reserve for inside the cavity.

  7. Stuff the cavity with orange slices, red onion, star anise, thyme sprigs, and any leftover compound butter.

  8. Truss the turkey to ensure even cooking and flavor. Place onto the roasting pan, breast side up.

  9. Inject the reserved orange juice into all areas of the turkey.

  10. Place the turkey in the oven, cooking for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast. If the turkey starts to brown too fast, place a piece of aluminum foil over the browning spots. Baste occasionally with polling liquids for flavor and to keep it moist.

  11. Take the turkey out of the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Garnish with additional orange slices and fresh thyme leaves. When ready to serve, carve and serve with Red Wine Gravy (below).

  12. Red Wine Gravy:

  13. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the minced shallots. Saute until soft.

  14. Add the flour and stir into a paste (roux). Continue whisking, allowing the mixture to brown lightly.

  15. Whisk in the red wine and broth until smooth. Add the salt pepper and thyme and reduce to low heat for 15 minutes.

  16. Run the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and return to saucepan. Correct seasoning, if needed and serve!If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!

  17. Ladle out 1/3 cup of gravy to a small bowl and mix with cornstarch. Whisk back into the saucepan until blended and mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat immediately. Set side until ready to serve.

  18. If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

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