Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that’s ready to serve when you are. It’s a great choice for potlucks, too.

 

  • Total Time

    Prep: 4-1/4 hours + freezing Bake: 50 min.

  • Makes

    16 servings (2-1/2 cups gravy)

Ingredients

    • 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
    • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 3 cups chicken broth
    • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
    • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
    • 1/4 cup lemon juice
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • FOR SERVING:
    • 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 325°. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. Sprinkle with poultry seasoning and pepper. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together.
  • Roast, uncovered, 30 minutes. In a 4-cup measuring cup, mix broth, herbs, lemon peel and juice, and garlic; pour over turkey. Roast, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 3 to 3-1/2 hours, basting occasionally with broth mixture. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.
  • Remove turkey from pan; let stand at least 20 minutes before carving. Skim fat from cooking juices.
  • To freeze: Carve turkey and place in shallow freezer containers. Pour cooking juices over turkey; cool slightly, about 1 hour. Cover and freeze up to 3 months.
  • To serve: Partially thaw turkey in refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350°. Transfer turkey and cooking juices to a large baking dish. Pour 1-1/2 cups broth over top. Bake, covered, until a thermometer inserted in turkey reads 165°, 50-60 minutes.
  • To prepare gravy: Remove turkey to a platter, reserving broth mixture; keep warm. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in broth mixture; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve with turkey.
Nutrition Facts

8 ounces cooked turkey with about 2-1/2 tablespoons gravy: 480 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 218mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 64g protein.