Dairy Farmers of Canada

Christmas Turkey

This is the Christmas Turkey recipe.

  • Prep: 30 min
  • Cooking: 3 h 40 - 4 h 40
Yields 12 servings
christmas turkey

Ingredients

  • 1 10-12 lb (5-6 kg) turkey rinsed well
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) melted unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) paprika
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) ground savory
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) dried tarragon
  • Salt to taste
  • Classic Stuffing
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • Turkey giblets chopped
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground pork
  • 4 slices of bread crust removed and cubed
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
  • 1 tsp (2 mL) basil
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) grated nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup (80 mL) Milk
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) roasted pine nuts
  • 1 cup (250 mL) pecans
  • 3 eggs beaten
Placeholder alt

READY FOR REWARDS?

Sign up for our new More Goodness program for exclusive offers, recipes, contests and more.

SUBSCRIBE

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450 °F (230 °C).

Stuff turkey with Classic Stuffing and place in roasting pan. Brush turkey with unsalted butter and season to taste with spices. Roast in oven, immediately reducing heat to 350 °F (180 °C). Salt 30 minutes after searing. Cook for 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes, basting frequently, about every 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and place on large serving platter. Prepare sauce by scraping bottom of roasting pan with spatula, adding a little water. Pour into sauceboat and skim fat off top with spoon.

Serve immediately with potatoes, carrots and green peas.

Classic Stuffing:

In saucepan, sauté onion, garlic and celery in butter for 4 minutes while stirring. Add giblets and pork and cook for 6 minutes while stirring. Drain off fat. Remove from heat. Add all remaining ingredients and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well. Set aside.

Tips

Allow 18 to 22 minutes of cooking time per pound (450 g), and an additional 5 minutes per pound (450 g) for a stuffed bird.

Learn more about

Nutritional information

Per serving
Energy: 798 Calories
Protein: 78 g
Carbohydrate: 10 g
Fat: 49 g
Fibre: 2 g
Sodium: 246 mg
(% DV*)
Calcium: 10 % / 110 mg