Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy

Ingredients

• x
• x

Preparation

1. Ingredients
2. •1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
3. •2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
4. •1 teaspoon pepper
5. •1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
6. •1/4 cup lemon juice
7. •1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
8. •1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
9. •2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
10. •2 garlic cloves, minced
11. •4-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
12. •1 tablespoon butter
13. •1 tablespoon all-purpose flour


14. Directions
15. •Pat turkey dry. Sprinkle with poultry seasoning and pepper. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
16. • Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the parsley, lemon juice, thyme, rosemary, lemon peel, garlic and 3 cups broth; pour over turkey. Bake, uncovered, 3 to 3-1/2 hours longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with broth mixture. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly. Let stand for 20 minutes.
17. • Remove turkey; skim fat from cooking juices. Slice turkey; cool completely and place in resealable freezer bags. Pour cooking juices over turkey. Seal bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
18. •To use frozen turkey: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan; pour remaining broth over turkey. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°.
19. • Remove turkey to a serving plate and keep warm. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with turkey. Yield: 14-16 servings (2-1/2 cups gravy).


20. Editor’s Note: It is best not to use a prebasted turkey for this recipe.








21. Nutritional Facts 8 ounces cooked turkey with 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons gravy equals 479 calories, 22 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 216 mg cholesterol, 318 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 64 g protein.