Stuffed Turkey with Lemon, Oregano, and Red Onions

Ingredients for Stuffed Turkey with Lemon, Oregano, and Red Onions

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

• 110g finely chopped shallots (2 large)

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped oregano

• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

• 1 (14-pound) turkey at room temperature 1 hour, any feathers and quills removed with tweezers or needlenose pliers, reserving neck and giblets for stock (discard liver)

• 2 large red onions, each cut into 8 wedges, keeping root ends intact

• About 1200ml unbaked Italian sausage and bread stuffing , at room temperature

• 950ml turkey giblet stock , heated to liquefy if gelled, or reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

• 80ml plain flour

• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• Equipment: a 17- by 14-inch flameproof roasting pan with a V-rack

• kitchen string

• a 2-qt measuring cup

• a fat separator (optional)

• 1 kitchen string

• 1 2-quart measuring cup

• Equipment: a 17- by 14-inch flameproof roasting pan with a V-rack

• kitchen string

• a 2-qt measuring cup

• a fat separator (optional)

• 1 kitchen string

• 1 2-quart measuring cup

• 1 a fat separator (optional)

• Garnish: oregano sprigs

• lemon wedges

• 1 lemon wedges

How to make Stuffed Turkey with Lemon, Oregano, and Red Onions

Preheat oven to 218°C with rack in lowest position.

Stir together all butter ingredients with 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoons pepper.

Rinse turkey inside and out, then pat dry. Put turkey on rack in roasting pan. Sprinkle turkey cavities with 1/2 teaspoons salt (total).

Starting at large cavity, gently slide your fingers between skin and flesh of breast and legs to loosen skin, being careful not to tear skin. Using a tablespoon measure, slide 2 tablespoons butter under skin of each breast half and 1 tablespoon on each drumstick (90ml total), pushing butter out of spoon with a finger on outside of skin.

Melt remaining lemon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Toss onion wedges with 2 tablespoons melted lemon butter.

Spoon stuffing into large cavity of turkey. Fold neck skin under body, then tie drumsticks together with kitchen string and tuck wings under body. Brush turkey all over with half of remaining melted lemon butter and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast until skin is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 177°C. Rotate pan 180 degrees. Brush remaining melted lemon butter over turkey and roast 30 minutes more. Baste turkey and scatter onion wedges around it, then roast, basting turkey and rotating turkey 180 degrees every 30 minutes (if pan becomes completely dry, add 120ml water; if skin becomes too dark, loosely cover turkey with foil) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into fleshy part of thighs (test both; close to but not touching bone) registers 77°C and stuffing registers at least 74°C, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours more (total roasting time: 3 to 3 1/2 hours). Transfer turkey and onions to a platter, reserving juices in pan. Let turkey stand, uncovered, 30 minutes (temperature of thigh meat will rise to 79°C).

Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add 240ml turkey stock and deglaze pan by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 2 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into 2-quart measuring cup and skim off and reserve fat. (If using a fat separator, strain pan juices through sieve into separator and let stand until fat rises to top, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully pour pan juices from separator into measuring cup, reserving fat.)

Stir together flour and 90ml reserved fat (if you don't have enough fat, add butter) in a heavy medium saucepan, then cook roux over medium heat, whisking, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add pan juices and remaining 725ml stock in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, then bring to a boil, whisking. Stir in any turkey juices from platter and briskly simmer, whisking occasionally, until gravy is thickened to desired consistency, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.