Savory Apple-Onion Turkey

  • Prep 40 min
  • Total 4 hr 25 min
  • Servings 18

Ingredients

  • 12- to 14-pound turkey, thawed if frozen
  • 2 teaspoons onion salt
  • 3 slices thick-sliced bacon, cut in half
  • 1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
  • 1 medium apple, cored and cut into eight pieces
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup apple jelly
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Giblet Stock, if desired

  • Reserved giblets and neck from turkey (see tip)
  • 1 medium onion, cut into fourths
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion salt

Apple Cider Gravy

  • About 1 1/2 cups Giblet Stock (above) or chicken broth
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple wine
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 325°. Prepare turkey for roasting, reserving giblets to make Giblet Stock if desired.
  • 2
    Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the onion salt in cavity.
  • 3
    Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Starting at back opening of the turkey, gently separate skin from turkey breast, using fingers. Place half slices of bacon under the skin; secure skin at lower edge with toothpick or metal skewer. Place onion and apple in turkey cavity. Brush oil over turkey; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon onion salt. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh muscle and does not touch bone. (Do not add water or cover turkey.)
  • 4
    Roast uncovered 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes. While turkey is roasting, make Giblet Stock to use in gravy. After roasting about 2 hours, when it begins to turn golden, place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over turkey.
  • 5
    About 40 minutes before turkey is done, heat jelly and mustard to boiling in 1 1/2- quart saucepan; reduce heat. Simmer about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until jelly is melted. Set aside until turkey is almost done. Generously brush apple glaze over turkey frequently during last 30 minutes of roasting.
  • 6
    Turkey is done when thermometer reads 180° and juice of turkey is no longer pink when you cut into center of thigh. The drumstick should move easily when lifted or twisted. If a meat thermometer is not used, begin testing for doneness after about 2 hours 30 minutes. When turkey is done, place on warm platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.
  • 7
    Make Apple Cider Gravy. Serve gravy with turkey. Cover and refrigerate any remaining turkey and gravy separately.
  • 8
    Method for Giblet Stock: Place all ingredients in 3-quart saucepan; add enough water to cover. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer1 hour. Strain the stock through colander or wire strainer, discarding giblets, neck and onion. Refrigerate until need to make gravy. Method for Apple Cider Gravy: Pour drippings (turkey juices and fat) from roasting pan into 4-cup measuring cup, leaving brown bits in pan. Add enought Giblet Stock to drippings to measure 3 cups; pour into 3-quart saucepan and set aside. Pour apple cider into roasting pan; cook over medium heat, stirrin constantly, until all browned bits are released. Transfer cider mixture to liquid in 3-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Beat flour and water in small bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Beat flour mixture into boiling liquid, using wire whisk; continu boiling and whisking 1 minute. Stir in salt and pepper.

  • Including the liver with the giblets in the Giblet Stock will give you a stronger-flavored stock and gravy. Discard the liver before cooking the stock if a milder-flavored gravy appeals to you more.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
360
Calories from Fat
135
Total Fat
15g
Saturated Fat
4g
Cholesterol
110mg
Sodium
280mg
Total Carbohydrate
18g
Dietary Fiber
0g
Protein
38g
% Daily Value*:
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 5 Lean Meat;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
© 2024 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved