Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

Roast turkey with cranberry sauce is a classic and flavourful Thanksgiving dish. The turkey is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, then roasted until golden brown and juicy. The cranberry sauce is made with fresh or frozen cranberries and flavoured with orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg, making it the perfect complement to the savoury turkey. This dish is a beloved tradition for many families and is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients of Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients for the Turkey:

• 1 (12-14 pound) turkey, thawed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 cup chicken broth

Ingredients for the Cranberry Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to Make Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

Instructions for the Turkey:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
4. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin of the breast and thighs.
5. Place the quartered onion and lemon halves inside the turkey cavity.
6. Place the turkey, breast side up, in a roasting pan. Add the chicken broth to the bottom of the pan.
7. Roast the turkey for about 3 to 4 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F.
8. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Instructions for the Cranberry Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the saucepan. Bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
3. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve the cranberry sauce alongside the carved turkey for a delicious and classic Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy!