The Best Roast Stuffed Turkey

Name: The Best Roast Stuffed Turkey
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 315 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Quebecois
Ingredients: 1 unit whole turkey (about 5 kg (11 lbs), thawed); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 tbsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground); 1 tbsp dried thyme; 4 cups day-old bread (cubed); 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium); 1 cup onion (finely chopped); 1 cup celery (finely chopped); 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped); 1 tsp dried sage; 1 tsp dried rosemary

315 min 12 servings Medium

All Recipes

Juicy, flavourful roast stuffed turkey, perfect for festive gatherings.

Prep

45 min

Cook

240 min

Total

315 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

Roasting a stuffed turkey is a time-honoured tradition for many festive occasions. The succulent meat paired with a savoury stuffing makes for a delightful centrepiece at any gathering. This recipe guides you through making the best roast stuffed turkey, ensuring it's juicy, flavourful, and cooked to perfection. Whether it's for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other celebration, this dish will be a showstopper.

Ingredients

Servings

Turkey

Stuffing

Instructions

Prepare the Turkey

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Pro tip: Ensure your turkey is completely thawed to ensure even cooking.

Season the Turkey

In a small bowl, mix softened butter, salt, pepper, and thyme. Rub this mixture under the skin of the turkey breast and all over the skin.

Pro tip: Loosen the skin with your fingers gently to insert the butter mixture.

Prepare the Stuffing

In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, chicken broth, onion, celery, parsley, sage, and rosemary. Mix well until the bread is moist.

Pro tip: For easier handling, consider baking the stuffing in a separate dish.

Stuff the Turkey

Loosely fill the turkey cavity with the stuffing. Do not overfill, as stuffing expands during cooking.

Pro tip: Use a food-safe method by cooking stuffing to 165°F (74°C).

Roast the Turkey

Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

Pro tip: Baste the turkey with its juices every 30 minutes for added moistness.

Rest and Carve

Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Pro tip: Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

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Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Ensure your turkey is completely thawed before starting.</li><li>Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.</li><li>Let the turkey rest before carving for juiciness.</li><li>Prepare the stuffing separately for easier handling.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Once your turkey is beautifully roasted and rested, carve it carefully to preserve its juiciness. Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. They make for excellent sandwiches or casseroles the next day.