Description
Culinary maestro Gordon Ramsay’s Perfect Roast Turkey elevates holiday dining with its masterful technique and flavor-packed approach. Succulent, herb-infused meat and crispy, golden skin promise a memorable centerpiece that will delight guests and make your festive meal unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 free-range turkey (about 11 pounds or 5 kilograms)
- 1 12 cups (375 grams) butter (room temperature)
Flavoring and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 onions (peeled, halved)
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 1 head of garlic (halved horizontally)
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled, crushed)
- 2 small lemons (juice and grated zest)
- 6 bay leaves
- 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley leaves (chopped)
- 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon
Seasoning and Oils:
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Craft a luxurious herb-infused butter by blending softened butter with minced garlic, zesty lemon essence, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Generously season the turkey’s internal cavity with salt and pepper, then artfully stuff with quartered onions, halved lemon, crushed garlic cloves, and fragrant bay leaves to enhance the bird’s aromatic profile.
- Gently separate the turkey’s skin from the meat, carefully massaging the prepared herb butter underneath, ensuring even distribution across the entire surface for maximum flavor penetration.
- Drizzle additional olive oil over the exterior skin, massaging thoroughly to promote a golden, crisp exterior during roasting.
- Heat the oven to a blazing 220C (425F), positioning the turkey to achieve an initial high-temperature sear for 10-15 minutes to develop a rich, caramelized skin.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 180C (350F) and continue roasting for approximately 2 1/2 hours, diligently basting every half-hour to maintain exceptional moisture and prevent drying.
- Verify the turkey’s doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 74C (165F); extend cooking time in 15-minute increments if necessary.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and allow a generous 45-minute resting period, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring tender, succulent meat before carving.
- Present the roasted turkey alongside traditional accompaniments like rich gravy, hearty stuffing, and tangy cranberry sauce for a complete festive feast.
Notes
- Prepare the herb butter a day ahead and refrigerate to intensify the flavors, allowing the ingredients to meld together perfectly.
- Pat the turkey skin completely dry before adding olive oil to guarantee a beautifully golden and crispy exterior that will impress your guests.
- Cover the turkey with foil if the skin browns too quickly, preventing burning while ensuring the meat remains succulent and tender throughout cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, replace traditional stuffing with herbs and aromatics like rosemary, thyme, and sage to maintain incredible flavor without gluten-containing ingredients.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 773
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 322 mg
- Fat: 81 g
- Saturated Fat: 39 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 42 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 178 mg