Ultimate Holiday Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
Transform your holiday dinner with this Ultimate Holiday Roast Turkey, featuring a decadently herb-infused butter that keeps the meat juicy and flavorful, a nod to Jamie Oliver's festive feast. This recipe combines the fresh citrus notes of clementines with aromatic herbs for a stunningly fragrant turkey that will be the centerpiece of your Christmas lunch. Prepare your butter the night before, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Stuff it with your favorite stuffing, or use the included suggestion for a gourmet touch. Gather your loved ones and make this unforgettable dish the highlight of your festive celebrations. Fingers crossed it turns out as fabulous as it looks!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Turkey
5.5 kg (Whole, cleaned and prepped)
Clementines
2-4 (Chopped)
Fresh Rosemary
1 sprig (Finely chopped)
Fresh Thyme
1 sprig (Finely chopped)
Butter
150 g (Softened)
Carrots
2-3 (Finely chopped)
Onions
3 (Peeled and finely chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (Finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Herb Butter: Finely chop the carrots, onions, celery, rosemary, and thyme. In a bowl, combine the chopped vegetables and herbs with softened butter until well blended. Set aside half of the mixture for later use.
2
Prepare the Turkey: Using a tablespoon, carefully separate the skin from the meat of the turkey, starting from the cavity and working your way towards the breastbone. Be gentle to avoid tearing the skin.
3
Stuff the Turkey: Take half of the herb butter mixture and gently push it between the skin and meat, ensuring it's evenly distributed across the breast. Smooth the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey.
4
Secure and Chill: Use kitchen twine or toothpicks to secure the cavity, keeping the butter in place. Cover the turkey loosely with cling film and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.
5
Before Cooking: Remove the turkey from the fridge, discard the cling film, and chop 2-4 clementines. Place the clementine segments into the turkey’s cavity. Stuff the neck of the turkey with your choice of stuffing, packing it in tightly.
6
Cook the Turkey: Preheat your oven to 350°F (Gas Mark 4). Roast the turkey, calculating approximately 30 minutes per kilo, plus an additional 20 minutes at the end. Baste the turkey every 45 minutes for a golden, crispy skin.
7
Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy a holiday feast like no other!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main feature of the Ultimate Holiday Roast Turkey?
The main feature is a decadent herb-infused butter that is placed under the skin to keep the meat juicy and flavorful, complemented by citrus notes from clementines.
What ingredients are needed for the herb butter?
The herb butter consists of 150g of softened butter, finely chopped carrots, onions, celery, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme.
How do I prepare the turkey for the herb butter?
Use a tablespoon to carefully separate the skin from the meat starting from the cavity, being gentle to avoid tearing the skin.
Where is the herb butter applied?
Half of the mixture is pushed between the skin and the breast meat, while the remaining half is smoothed over the outside of the turkey.
How long should the turkey be refrigerated before cooking?
The turkey should be covered loosely and refrigerated overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
What kind of citrus is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 to 4 chopped clementines.
Where do the clementines go during cooking?
The chopped clementine segments are placed into the turkey's cavity.
Where should the stuffing be placed?
The stuffing should be packed tightly into the neck of the turkey.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F or Gas Mark 4.
How do I calculate the cooking time for the turkey?
Calculate approximately 30 minutes per kilo, plus an additional 20 minutes at the end.
How often should the turkey be basted?
The turkey should be basted every 45 minutes to ensure a golden, crispy skin.
How long should the turkey rest after roasting?
The turkey needs to rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
What size turkey does this recipe specify?
The recipe is based on a 5.5 kg turkey.
How many onions are required?
The recipe calls for 3 peeled and finely chopped onions.
How many carrots are needed for the butter mixture?
You will need 2 to 3 finely chopped carrots.
How much rosemary and thyme should I use?
Use one sprig of fresh rosemary and one sprig of fresh thyme, both finely chopped.
What is the purpose of the celery ribs?
Two celery ribs are finely chopped and mixed into the herb butter for added flavor and texture.
Should the butter be cold or room temperature?
The butter should be softened to properly blend with the chopped vegetables and herbs.
How do I secure the cavity of the turkey?
Use kitchen twine or toothpicks to secure the cavity and keep the butter in place.
Can the herb butter be made in advance?
Yes, preparing the butter and applying it the night before is recommended for the best flavor.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is a nod to Jamie Oliver's festive feast style.
How do you ensure the turkey skin is crispy?
Basting the turkey every 45 minutes with the juices and butter helps create a golden, crispy skin.
What is the preparation for the onions?
Onions should be peeled and then finely chopped before being added to the butter.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
Serve the turkey with your favorite holiday sides for a complete festive celebration.
Is the stuffing recipe included in the ingredients?
The ingredients for the stuffing itself are not listed, as the recipe suggests using your favorite stuffing or the provided placement tips.
How do you avoid tearing the turkey skin?
Using the rounded back of a tablespoon to separate the skin is a gentle method to prevent tearing.
What do I do with the cling film before cooking?
The cling film used during the overnight chill must be removed and discarded before the turkey is placed in the oven.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, nutritional details like calories and fat content are not provided for this specific recipe.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include holiday recipe, christmas dinner, roast turkey, herb butter, and festive meals.
Why is resting the turkey important?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it easier to carve and more tender to eat.