23 lb. Canadian Turkey or the size that is appropriate for your family
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 bouquet garni of rosemary, thyme and sage
1 large celery stalk, washed and cut into large chunks
1 carrot, washed but not peeled, cut into large chunks
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
Herb Garlic Butter
1/3 cup butter, salted
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 Tbsp. each rosemary, thyme, and sage, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
For the Cheesecloth
1 bottle of white wine, I chose a pinot grigio
1 1/2 lb. of unsalted butter, melted
Package of cheesecloth
Directions
Remove the giblets and neck and reserve to make gravy. Pat dry and let rest in roasting pan for up to 2 hours at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 450F and move rack to the lowest level in the oven.
Combine the ingredients for the herb butter. Salt and pepper the inside of the turkey. Add in the bouquet garni, carrots, celery, and onions. Place legs together with the skin provided or tie together with kitchen twine.
Fold the wings under the turkey. Lightly salt and pepper turkey. Rub with the herb garlic butter.
Fold the cheesecloth into a 17" square, give or take to fit your turkey. It needs to be 4 layers. Cut if needed.
Combine the melted butter and white wine in a large pot or bowl. Dip cheesecloth in and let soak. Squeeze is out slightly and leaving it very damp. Drape over the breast of the turkey and halfway down the sides.
Place turkey in the oven and roast for 30 minutes.
Remove, lower the temperature to 350F. Baste the turkey with a baster with more of the wine/butter mixture and return to the oven. KEEP ON BASTING!!
Remove the turkey every 30 minutes and baste with the wine/butter mixture. After 1 1/2 hours rotate the turkey.
Continue basting every 30 minutes. At the 3 hour mark remove the turkey, baste and gently remove the cheesecloth; discard. Return to the oven but rotate again.
Continue basting and now start to check the temperature after the 4th hour. Once the thigh in the thickest part reads 180F, the turkey is done and needs to rest for 20-30 minutes.
At this time you can make your gravy, finish off your sides and prepare for the final presentation of the turkey. Follow along in my Roast Turkey 101 post to make the stock for the gravy and the actual gravy.
Bon Appetit! Take a photo and share this recipe #ThinkTurkey
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