Holidays usually go hand in hand with great food. Turkey is usually at the centre of our holiday meals. It is a classic, but can be made in so many delicious ways. Check out this mouth-watering Turkey and stuffing recipe below, and scroll all the way down for a video on simple turkey and noodle soup – great for leftovers!
Traditional Roast Turkey with Apricot and Pecan Stuffing
Serves 8-12; Prep time: 40 mins; Cook time: 4 – 4 ½ hrs.
For Turkey:
1 whole turkey, 12-14 lbs
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup white wine
1 cup turkey broth
For Rub:
2 tbsp salt
1 ½ tbsp white pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp ground Italian seasoning
1 tbsp ground sweet paprika
For Stuffing:
3 cups crusty bread such as sourdough or Italian, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup roughly chopped dried apricots
½ cup rolled oats
¾ cup turkey broth
1 medium onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried thyme
Prepare Stuffing:
- Spread the bread cubes out on a baking tray and place in your oven overnight to dry out; Place in a large bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and celery and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the broth over bread to moisten.
- Add the onion and celery mixture.
- Add the oats, apricots and dried herbs.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and proceed to stuff your bird.
Prepare Turkey:
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and the giblets and neck have been removed.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Pat the bird dry with paper towels.
- Rub the turkey with olive oil, inside and out.
- Combine all spices to make a rub. Sprinkle generously onto the bird, inside and out.
- Stuff the turkey loosely with the stuffing mixture.
- Place the bird into your roasting pan. Add wine and broth.
- Roast the turkey for 4 – 4 ½ hours, until the juices run clear and an instant thermometer reads 170°F in the breast, 180°F in the thigh, and the stuffing reaches 165°F.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
NOTE: Cooking times are for planning purposes only – always use a digital meat thermometer to confirm it is cooked.
Tip: You Can Make Your Stuffing On The Side!
Place prepared stuffing in a buttered pan and cook for 45 minutes in a 350°F oven until browned and crunchy. Baste with turkey drippings every 15 minutes for added flavor.
Want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your friends and family? Alberta Turkey makes it easy. You can visit their website for tips, recipes, turkey basics and more. Download their Holiday Entertainment Guide here.
Think Turkey:
Did you know? You can ask your butcher to give you certain turkey cuts instead of a whole turkey – including a half turkey! Ideas for using Turkey during the holidays:
- Ground turkey can replace ground chicken or pork in some recipes
- If you are hosting a potluck look up a simple turkey recipe and get everyone else to bring the sides! it’s simple and you will have the crowd pleaser dish of the get together
- Using turkey sausage is a great way to cut calories and still back a big flavor punch (in replacement of regular sausage)
- Try using turkey to create appetizers. They are delicious, can be made ahead of time, and finger foods saves you on the clean up afterward!
Home Made Turkey Noodle Soup
So simple and so delicious! Check out the full recipe here, watch the video below.
Looking for additional tips, recipes, Turkey Basics videos and HOW TOs? Visit the Alberta Turkey website for year round cooking inspiration.
This post was sponsored by Alberta Turkey