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Irresistibly Juicy Upside-Down Turkey Recipe for Perfect Holidays

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This upside-down turkey recipe ensures juicy, tender meat and crispy skin, making it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs., thawed if frozen)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 lemon (halved)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 large onion (quartered)
  • 2 carrots (peeled and roughly chopped)
  • 2 celery stalks (roughly chopped)
  • 2 cups chicken or turkey stock

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful herb butter.
  3. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and remove any giblets from the cavity.
  4. Spread the herb butter all over the turkey, including under the skin where possible. Rub the cavity with salt and insert the lemon halves, onion quarters, and a few sprigs of rosemary for extra flavor.
  5. Arrange the carrots, celery, and remaining onion in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pour the stock over the vegetables.
  6. Place the turkey breast-side down on the roasting rack or directly on the vegetables if you’re not using a rack.
  7. Roast the turkey for about 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices.
  8. Flip the turkey over carefully during the last hour of cooking to crisp up the skin on the breast side. Use tongs or oven mitts to do this safely.
  9. Cook until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
  10. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute for maximum flavor.

Notes

Basting every 30 minutes keeps the turkey moist. Use a thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to the correct temperature. Let the turkey rest after cooking to lock in juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: Upside-down turkey, holiday turkey, juicy turkey, Thanksgiving recipe, Christmas turkey

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/irresistibly-juicy-upside-down-turkey-recipe-for-perfect-holidays/