Best Apple Bourbon Turkey And Gravy Recipes
ROAST TURKEY WITH APPLE-BRANDY GRAVY
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 13h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Combine the salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and the sugar in a small bowl. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and reserve for the gravy (discard the liver). Transfer the turkey to a rimmed baking sheet and pat dry. Season the skin and inside the cavity with the salt mixture. Refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and rinse off the salt mixture; pat dry. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Place the apple, half of the onions, 2 garlic halves, the lemon and about 10 thyme sprigs in the cavity of the turkey; tie the legs together with twine and place breast-side up in a roasting pan. Melt 2 sticks butter with 6 thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat. Divide the melted butter in half. Brush the turkey with half of the melted butter and tent with foil. Transfer to the oven and roast 3 hours.
- Meanwhile, combine the chicken broth, bay leaves, reserved neck and giblets, and the remaining chopped onion, 2 garlic halves and 4 thyme sprigs in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and simmer until reduced to about 4 cups, about 1 hour. Strain into a clean saucepan; set aside for the gravy.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Divide the remaining melted butter in half (remelt if necessary). Uncover the turkey and brush with half of the melted butter. Return to the oven and continue roasting until browned and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Stir the honey into the remaining melted butter and brush all over the turkey; roast 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer to a cutting board and brush with any remaining honey butter; let rest 30 minutes before carving.
- Meanwhile, make the gravy: Pour out the fat from the roasting pan and discard. Set the roasting pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat; add the apple brandy and hard cider. Cook, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon, until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Mix the flour and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl to make a paste; whisk into the roasting pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until thickened, about 25 minutes. Strain and keep warm over low heat. Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.
ROAST TURKEY WITH BOURBON GRAVY
Yield Serves 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Make turkey:
- Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Pat turkey dry with paper towels and sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper. Spoon Corn Bread Succotash Stuffing loosely into neck cavity and main cavity of turkey. Tie legs together. Using small metal skewers, pin neck skin to enclose stuffing. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in large pan. Add reserved turkey fat and 2 cups Turkey Stock to pan. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with pan drippings.
- Remove foil. Add 3 cups water to pan. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180°F, basting occasionally with pan juices, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil. Let stand while making gravy.
- Make gravy:
- Strain juices from roasting pan into 8-cup glass measuring cup. Spoon fat off top of juices, returning 1/2 cup fat to roasting pan. Add enough remaining Turkey Stock to pan juices to measure 6 cups of broth mixture.
- Heat fat in roasting pan atop 2 burners over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Stir until mixture is golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in broth mixture, then bourbon. Simmer until gravy thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve gravy with turkey.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
Ingredients
- 1 turkey (~12-14 lbs)
- 1 stick of butter
- 2 apples, chopped into small pieces
- 1/4 cup of bourbon
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of thyme
- 1 tablespoon of rosemary
- 1 tablespoon of sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Clean the turkey thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped apples to the melted butter and cook until the apples are soft, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the bourbon, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Stir well to combine.
- Season the turkey with salt and pepper to taste, and place it in a roasting pan with a rack.
- Stuff the turkey with the apple mixture, filling both the cavity and the neck area.
- Pour the chicken broth into the roasting pan, so that it covers the bottom of the pan.
- Roast the turkey in the oven until it is fully cooked (about 3-4 hours). Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan juices.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving.
- While the turkey is resting, strain the pan drippings into a saucepan. Skim off the fat, and bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat and let the gravy simmer until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the apple bourbon turkey with the gravy on the side, or pour the gravy over the sliced turkey meat.
- Pair the turkey with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or sweet potato casserole.
- For a sweet and savory twist, try serving the turkey with a side of cranberry sauce or apple compote.
- Top off your meal with a warm slice of apple pie or pumpkin pie for dessert.
Conclusion
Apple bourbon turkey and gravy recipes are a creative and delicious alternative to the traditional turkey and gravy dishes that are commonly served during holidays. This recipe offers a great balance of sweet and smoky flavors, making it a popular choice among hosts and guests alike. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can create a juicy and flavorful turkey that will be the highlight of your holiday gathering.The holiday season is here, and you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to wow your friends and family with a delicious, juicy and flavorful apple bourbon turkey and gravy. Turkey is a staple of the Thanksgiving and Christmas feast, but not everyone knows how to cook it right. In this article, we offer some valuable tips to help you make the best apple bourbon turkey and gravy recipes.
Choose the Right Turkey
Choosing the right turkey is key to success. Firstly, you should look for a fresh or thawed turkey. A frozen turkey can take up to 3 days to thaw out in the fridge. If you need a quick thaw, you can immerse the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it thaws out completely. Secondly, you want to choose a turkey that is the right size. A good rule of thumb is to get 1-1.5 pounds per person, including the bones. Lastly, look for a turkey that is properly plumped and has clear skin, free from any cuts or bruises.
Preparation is Key
Before you start cooking the turkey, it is essential to prepare it well. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey's cavity and check for any other remains. Wash the turkey inside and outside thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt and pepper, both inside and out. For added flavor and moisture, you can also inject the turkey with seasoned broth or marinade or rub it with butter.
Choose the Right Cooking Method
The best cooking method for turkey is to roast it, but there are different ways to do it. One popular method is to cook it upside down first and then flip it for the last hour or so, to get crispy skin. Another method is to cover the turkey with aluminum foil for the first hour of cooking, to retain moisture and prevent the skin from burning. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the turkey using a meat thermometer. The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
Add Flavor with Apple Bourbon Glaze and Gravy
The key to making a delicious apple bourbon turkey and gravy is to add plenty of flavor. One way to do this is to make an apple bourbon glaze to baste the turkey with. You can make the glaze by mixing apple cider, bourbon, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a saucepan, and then boiling for 5-10 minutes until it thickens. Baste the turkey with the glaze every 30 minutes or so during the last hour of cooking.
The second way to add flavor is to make a flavorful gravy using the drippings from the turkey. Remove the turkey from the pan and set it aside to rest. Pour the drippings into a saucepan and add chicken or turkey broth, apple cider, and a splash of bourbon. Bring to a boil and whisk in some flour or cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Keep whisking until it's smooth and then simmer for a few minutes until the gravy reaches the desired consistency.
Carve the Turkey Properly
Once your turkey is cooked and rested, it's time to carve it. Use a sharp carving knife or an electric knife to make clean, even slices. Start by removing the legs and wings, then carve the breast meat, slicing it diagonally. Remember to remove the skin and any bones as you go. Serve with the apple bourbon gravy on the side.
Conclusion
The perfect apple bourbon turkey and gravy recipe requires a combination of the right ingredients, cooking method, and preparation. With these valuable tips, you can make a juicy, flavorful turkey that will wow your friends and family this holiday season. Don't forget to save some leftovers for sandwiches and soups, too!