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Mary Berry Roast Turkey

Mary Berry Roast Turkey - recipe card
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This classic Mary Berry roast turkey is the centerpiece of a traditional British Christmas or Sunday roast. The turkey is generously buttered and seasoned, then roasted with aromatic vegetables and streaky bacon to keep the breast moist and the skin golden and crisp. The rich pan juices are transformed into a silky gravy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (4 lb) whole turkey, giblets removed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 large onion, peeled and halved
  • 2 carrots, peeled and halved
  • 2 celery stalks, halved
  • 4 slices streaky bacon
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting to take the chill off, ensuring even cooking. Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
  2. Season the turkey cavity generously with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves, thyme sprigs, rosemary sprigs, and one onion half. Trussing the legs is optional; leaving them untied allows air to circulate and cook the thighs more evenly.
  3. Rub the softened butter all over the skin of the turkey breast and legs, using your hands to work it under the skin as well. Season the outside of the bird with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
  4. Place the remaining onion half, the carrots, and celery in the center of a large roasting pan to form a rack. Set the turkey on top of the vegetables; this elevates the bird and prevents it from sitting in its own juices, promoting crisp skin.
  5. Lay the bacon slices over the turkey breast, overlapping slightly to cover the meat completely. The bacon bastes the breast during roasting, keeping it moist while the legs cook through.
  6. Roast the turkey at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue roasting for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C). If the bacon begins to burn, tent loosely with foil.
  7. Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer to a carving board. Discard the bacon slices or reserve for another use. Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist meat.
  8. While the turkey rests, make the gravy. Place the roasting pan over two burners on medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the pan juices and vegetables, and whisk constantly for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom; this roux will thicken the gravy.
  9. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, continuing to stir until the gravy comes to a simmer and thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of water or more stock. Strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve into a serving jug, pressing on the solids to extract all the flavor.
  10. Carve the turkey by removing the legs first, then slicing the breast meat against the grain. Arrange on a platter and serve with the hot gravy on the side. The bacon can be crumbled over the platter or omitted for a cleaner presentation.

Notes

Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap cooked meat tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, place slices in a baking dish, add a splash of stock, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F / 175°C oven for 15–20 minutes until heated through. Reheat gravy separately on the stovetop over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally.

Nutrition

Keywords: mary berry roast turkey, roast turkey recipe, british roast turkey, christmas turkey, sunday roast turkey, traditional turkey, herb butter turkey, bacon wrapped turkey, homemade gravy, turkey dinner

Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-roast-turkey-recipe/