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Classic Thanksgiving Feast


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  • Author: Lucy
  • Total Time: 255 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

A timeless Thanksgiving recipe featuring roast turkey, homemade stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, savory gravy, and tart cranberry sauce, perfect for family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole turkey (1214 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 sprig each of rosemary, thyme, and sage
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 loaf of crusty bread, cubed
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Drippings from the roasted turkey
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
    2. Rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat it dry.
    3. Rub melted butter all over the turkey and season it with salt and pepper.
    4. Stuff the turkey cavity with the onion, lemon, and herbs.
    5. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the pan.
    6. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, basting occasionally until a meat thermometer reads 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, about 3-3.5 hours.
    7. Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery, carrots, and onion; sauté until soft.
    8. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.

<li Gradually stir in chicken broth until the mixture is moistened.

  • Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
  • For the mashed potatoes, boil potatoes until fork-tender, drain and mash with heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
  • For the gravy, strain turkey drippings into a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour to form a paste and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, continuing until smooth and thickened.
  • For the cranberry sauce, combine cranberries, sugar, water, and a cinnamon stick in a pot. Cook over medium heat until berries pop and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
  • Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
  • Serve the turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

 

Notes

Make sure to defrost your turkey in advance if it’s frozen. Basting the turkey every 30 minutes keeps it moist. Let mashed potatoes cool slightly before adding cream and butter.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 210 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 47g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg