It's Thanksgiving week and if you haven't already started thinking about what you're making for the big feast, it's time!
I'm excited to share this wonderful recipe with you from McCormick! This is another installment of my Seasonal Seven Flavors posts that I'm sharing with you. I previously shared with you Brown Butter Gorgonzola Fries and Pork Chops with Parmesan Sage Sauce – all made with sage!
Every year, I create a Thanksgiving meal game plan which I'm sharing with you. It has my menu as well as a timeline for when to do what so I don't have to try to remember EVERYTHING. I print this out and usually put it into one of those plastic sheet protectors. I go back to this plan all the time on Thanksgiving day. I also shared it on Google docs, so feel free to create a copy of it and use it as a starting point for your game plan.
One other thing that is really helpful, I have at the bottom all of the oven temperatures for all of my recipes – I have all of my recipes printed that I use throughout the day but it's nice to have all of these times and temperatures laid out so I can reference them quickly.
Here's my 2012 Thanksgiving menu:
Savory Herb Rub Roasted Turkey
Turkey Gravy
Bread and Celery Stuffing
My Favorite Mashed Potatoes
Potato Casserole
Autumn Vegetable Succoash – martha
Sweet Potato Casserole
Garlic & Olive Oil Sauteed Green Beans
Some Other Veggies (depends on what I see at the store)
Salad
Yeast Rolls
**Yes, I always have to have at least two kinds of potatoes at my Thanksgiving. 😀
Oh shoot, I just realized in my haste to get my plan together, I forgot about dessert! Adding that to my plan!
To make this wonderful savory herb rub roasted turkey recipe, first get all of your spices together and mix them up.
Prep the turkey on your roasting rack. I always rinse the turkey and then pat it dry with paper towels. Then, tuck the wings underneath and against the turkey. This helps to ensure your turkey cooks nicely and evenly.
All set!
How to make sure your turkey is moist
This recipe calls for putting half of the herbs, the cut up onion and bay leaves into the cavity of the turkey. I went a step further and added lemons. I ALWAYS stuff turkeys and chickens with lemons before roasting them. They don't add a lemony taste but they do ensure your poultry is always moist.
Always, let your turkey rest at least 20-30 minutes before carving. Same with any meat or steak your cooking, always allow it to rest! The juices get redistributed back into the meat and you don't have it all leaving your meat if you carve it or cut it too soon.
Enjoy and hope you have a happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends!
Recipe
Savory Herb Rub Roasted Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons McCormick® Sage, Rubbed or McCormick® Poultry Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon McCormick® Paprika
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon McCormick® Black Pepper, Ground
- 3/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground
- 1 whole turkey, 12 to 14 pounds, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 1 large onion, cut into wedges
- 6 McCormick® Bay Leaves
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place oven rack in lowest position. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place roasting rack in shallow roasting pan. Mix sage, paprika, seasoned salt, garlic powder, pepper and nutmeg in small bowl.
- Place turkey, breast-side up, in prepared pan. Sprinkle about 1/2 of the seasoning mixture inside turkey. Stuff with onion and bay leaves. Brush turkey breast with oil. Spread remaining seasoning mixture over entire surface and under skin of turkey. Add 1/2 cup water to pan. Cover turkey loosely with heavy duty foil.
- Roast 1 hour. Remove foil. Roast 2 to 2 1/2 hours longer or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (175°F in thigh), basting occasionally with pan juices. Remove turkey from oven. Let stand 20 minutes. Transfer to platter or carving board to slice. Reserve pan juices to make gravy or to serve with turkey.
Notes
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Leave a RatingDisclosure: This post is sponsored by McCormick. I love working with them and as always opinions are my own!
addie | culicurious says
Yum, this turkey looks delicious! 🙂
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I love how organized you are! I wish I weren’t working tomorrow and had a big Thanksgiving dinner to come home to eat. The turkey sounds great and love the added touch of the lemon!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
This is one sexy bird! I have a prep list and all that as well. It makes these holidays so much easier. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Beautiful bird, Julie! This is our first year hosting Thanksgiving…wow, I’m loving how organized you are. Have an awesome Thanksgiving!
Linda | The Urban Mrs says
That looks amazing, really! Love the seasoning and how you put everything together.
Carlas Confections says
Love this turkey recipe! And I really love your game plan. I wish I would have done that. But I think I have it handled ok, lol. I just hope I dont realize I forgot something come Thursday… Next year I will come up with a better game plan, but if all else fails, I still have my pumpkin pie made already! 😀
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
That is one good looking bird Julie! Love McCormick Poultry Seasoning–I use that all the time.
Angie says
What a perfectly roasted bird. Love it!
Kathy - Panini Happy says
Your menu sounds outstanding – is it too late to RSVP?! I need to create my game plan today – picking up the turkey this morning!
katie says
Yum! Looks like you guys are going to eat well this Thanksgiving. I’ve yet to write down my exact to-do list (day-by-day, hour-by-hour)!
Carolyn says
I’m terrible, I still haven’t figured out what I want to do for a Thanksgiving menu this year! Yikes! Your turkey is simply gorgeous.
Robyn | Add a Pinch says
Gorgeous turkey, Julie!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Oh my goodness, can I come to Thanksgiving at your house? Haha. I feel like my menu is so bland compared to yours.
marla says
Great to see your game plan ~ now I just need to get as organized 😉
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Wait..it’s this week!! ;0) Great looking turkey and I hope you have an awesome day!!
Jeanette says
Can I come over for Thanksgiving?! I put together a timeline for myself too just to make sure I’m on schedule. My boys and hubby love watching football on Thanksgiving, so timing dinner is important for them. Priorities!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
That is such a gorgeous bird! Happy Thanksgiving Julie!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Gorgeous bird! I don’t think my family has let the turkey rest… ever! It’s out of the oven and immediately carved lol. My dad just can’t wait!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I think a game plan is definitely essential when you’re making so much food at once! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Julie!
Paula - bell'alimento says
I am so envious of your organization : ) And that bird. Swoon.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I do the exact same thing by way of dinner planning – I always try to plan backward so that everything is ready on time. This turkey looks perfect!
Kelly Senyei says
So what time should I come over? You are amazing, Julie! I can only imagine what Thanksgiving is like in your home 🙂
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
AWESOME game plan, and amazing turkey!!
Karly says
What a perfect looking bird!