🎅 Classic American Roast Turkey with Stuffing & Gravy

🎅 Classic American Roast Turkey with Stuffing & Gravy

🦃 Ingredients

For the Turkey:

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed if frozen

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 1 onion, quartered

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1 head of garlic, halved

• Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage)

For the Stuffing:

• 1 loaf of day-old bread, cubed

• 1 cup butter

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 apple, diced (optional)

• 2–3 cups chicken broth

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 2 tsp poultry seasoning

For the Gravy:

• Pan drippings from the turkey

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1–2 cups chicken broth

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Prepare the stuffing:

   • In a large skillet, melt butter.

   • Add onion, celery (and apple if using). Cook until soft.

   • Stir in bread cubes, broth, salt, pepper, and seasoning until moist but not soggy.

3. Prepare the turkey:

   • Remove giblets. Pat the turkey dry.

   • Stuff the cavity loosely with the prepared stuffing (optional; or bake stuffing separately).

   • Rub the skin with melted butter and season with salt and pepper.

   • Place the onion, lemon, garlic, and herbs inside the cavity.

4. Roast the turkey:

   • Place in a roasting pan.

   • Roast for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

   • Baste occasionally with pan juices.

5. Make the gravy:

   • Pour drippings into a saucepan.

   • Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.

   • Slowly add chicken broth and stir until smooth and thickened.

6. Let the turkey rest 20–30 minutes before carving. Serve with gravy and stuffing!