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Orange and Herb Seasoned Roasted Turkey

Servings 8 (with leftovers)

Ingredients

  • 1 12- pound fresh turkey
  • 1 navel orange very thinly sliced crosswise
  • Fresh herbs of your choice I use oregano and thyme
  • 3 tablespoons salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons comino
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Glaze Ingredients

  • tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Instructions

  • Day before
  • Remove giblets and neck bone from turkey.
  • Rinse turkey, inside and out, with cold water.
  • With your hands, gently loosen the skin over the turkey’s breast by sliding your fingers between the skin and the flesh. Don’t poke a hole through the skin.
  • Mix salt, garlic and comino, and rub the bird thoroughly with this mixture, under the skin where possible, and in all cavities.
  • Carefully place orange slices over the breast (under the skin), then sprigs of herbs.
  • Place remaining orange and a few herb springs inside turkey cavity, as well as on legs, thighs, wings, pretty much everywhere.
  • Refrigerate overnight.
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Rub turkey with vegetable oil and place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Roast, uncovered, at 325F for about 3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 180 degrees.
  • Brush with glaze during last 45 minutes of cooking and baste turkey with drippings twice after that if desired.
  • To make glaze
  • Combine vinegar, honey and butter in small saucepan and stir over low heat until all is combined.