Bacon-Wrapped Turkey with Lattice For Thanksgiving
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a show-stopping Bacon-Wrapped Turkey! This delectable recipe combines the savory flavors of crispy bacon, herb-infused butter, and juicy, perfectly roasted turkey. The bacon lattice not only adds a delicious smoky flavor but also keeps the turkey moist while creating an impressive presentation. Ideal for family gatherings, this dish will leave your guests in awe and eager for seconds. Serve it alongside your favorite seasonal sides for a memorable holiday feast.
10-12 servings
Servings
375
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
8 tablespoons (softened)
thick-cut bacon
4 ounces (coarsely chopped (about 4 slices))
thyme
1 tablespoon (dried)
sage
1 teaspoon (dried)
turkey
1 (12-15 pounds, thawed if frozen)
onion
1 medium (peeled and quartered)
bacon
1 1/2 lbs (About 22 slices for lattice)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the bacon butter: In a food processor, combine the unsalted butter, coarsely chopped thick-cut bacon, thyme, and dried sage. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2
Next, remove the giblets and neck from the turkey's cavity; reserve the neck for stock and the giblets for gravy. Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan. Generously rub the turkey inside and out with the prepared bacon butter, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated.
3
Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the quartered onion. If desired, tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine to maintain its shape during roasting.
4
Take 2 slices of bacon and wrap them around each turkey leg. For the wings, use 1 slice of bacon per wing and tuck the ends underneath the bird or into the crease between the leg and the breast.
5
To create the bacon lattice, lay 8 strips of bacon side by side on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper, ensuring they are closely aligned. Then weave another 8 strips of bacon over and under the first layer, creating a diamond pattern.
6
Position the woven bacon over the turkey breast. With the parchment as a guide, carefully flip the lattice over the turkey and adjust it into place, tucking the edges as needed. Trim any excessive bacon hanging off with kitchen scissors.
7
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of the roasting pan to create steam, which helps prevent the bacon from shrinking rapidly. Roast the turkey for 30 minutes to allow the skin to darken and crisp.
8
After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (165°C) and continue roasting for an additional 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a probe thermometer to check the temperature in the breast, outer thigh, and between the thigh and breast.
9
Once fully cooked, carefully transfer the turkey and the roasting rack to a cutting board or a rimmed baking sheet. Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to let the juices redistribute. Use the drippings to prepare delicious gravy, if desired.
Nutrition Information
27g
Fat
3.3g
Carbs
27g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish featured in this recipe?
The main dish is a Bacon-Wrapped Turkey with Lattice For Thanksgiving.
How many people does this turkey recipe serve?
This recipe provides approximately 10 to 12 servings.
What size turkey is recommended for this dish?
A turkey weighing between 12 and 15 pounds, thawed if frozen, is recommended.
What ingredients are used to make the herb-infused bacon butter?
The bacon butter consists of softened unsalted butter, coarsely chopped thick-cut bacon, dried thyme, and dried sage.
How do you prepare the bacon butter?
Combine the butter, chopped bacon, thyme, and sage in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth.
What should be done with the turkey giblets and neck?
Remove them from the cavity; the neck can be reserved for stock and the giblets for gravy.
How should the bacon butter be applied to the turkey?
Generously rub the prepared bacon butter both inside and outside the turkey, ensuring all areas are coated.
What ingredient is used to stuff the cavity of the turkey?
The cavity is stuffed with one medium onion that has been peeled and quartered.
How are the turkey legs prepared for roasting?
The legs are wrapped with 2 slices of bacon each and may be tied together with kitchen twine to maintain shape.
How many slices of bacon are used for the turkey wings?
Use 1 slice of bacon per wing, tucking the ends underneath the bird or into the crease.
How is the bacon lattice for the turkey breast created?
Lay 8 strips of bacon side by side, then weave another 8 strips over and under them in a diamond pattern.
What is the easiest way to transfer the bacon lattice to the turkey?
Use the parchment paper it was built on as a guide to carefully flip the lattice over the turkey breast.
What should you do if there is excessive bacon hanging off the lattice?
Trim any excessive bacon hanging off the bird using kitchen scissors.
What is the initial preheat temperature for the oven?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
Why is water added to the bottom of the roasting pan?
Adding 2 cups of water creates steam, which helps prevent the bacon from shrinking too rapidly during roasting.
How long does the turkey roast at the initial high temperature?
Roast the turkey at 425°F for 30 minutes to allow the skin to darken and crisp.
To what temperature should the oven be reduced after the first 30 minutes?
After the initial 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (165°C).
What is the total additional roasting time after reducing the temperature?
The turkey should roast for an additional 2 to 2.5 hours at 325°F.
What is the target internal temperature for a fully cooked turkey?
The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Where should you check the internal temperature with a thermometer?
Check the temperature in the breast, the outer thigh, and the area between the thigh and breast.
How long should the turkey rest before it is carved?
The turkey should rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.
Why is it important to let the roasted turkey rest?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat remains moist.
How many calories are in one serving of this turkey?
There are 375 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving of the bacon-wrapped turkey?
Each serving contains 27g of fat.
How much protein does this recipe provide per serving?
This recipe provides 27g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 3.3g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much total bacon is required for the entire recipe?
You need 4 ounces of thick-cut bacon for the butter and an additional 1.5 lbs (about 22 slices) for the lattice and wrapping.
What herbs are used to flavor this Thanksgiving turkey?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of dried thyme and 1 teaspoon of dried sage.
Can the pan drippings be used for anything else?
Yes, the drippings can be used to prepare a delicious gravy.
What is the texture of the bacon in the bacon butter?
The bacon for the butter is coarsely chopped before being blended until smooth with the other ingredients.