Wild Rice Stuffed Turkey with Sage Gravy
Prep: 20 minutes
Roast: 2 hours 45 minutes • Serves: 12
3 tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
4 cups Wild Rice & Butternut Squash Stuffing (see separate recipe)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
8 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry sherry
1.Adjust oven rack to lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°. Place roasting rack in large, deep roasting pan. In small bowl, stir butter, 1-1/2 tablespoons sage, garlic powder and pepper.
2.Remove giblets from turkey cavity; discard liver. Loosely add stuffing to turkey cavity. Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in pan; brush with 1/4 cup butter mixture and sprinkle with salt. If not already secured, tie legs together with kitchen string; tuck wing tips under turkey to hold in place. Add 6 cups broth to roasting pan; tent turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
3.Roast turkey 2 hours. Remove foil and brush turkey with remaining butter mixture; add 1 cup broth to pan. Roast turkey 45 to 55 minutes longer or until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 160° in thickest part of thigh and in stuffing, making sure thermometer doesn’t touch bone. Transfer turkey to cutting board; loosely cover with aluminum foil.
4.Remove rack from pan; with spoon, skim excess fat from drippings. Place roasting pan with drippings over medium heat. Whisk in flour; add remaining 1 cup broth and heat to simmering, stirring to loosen browned bits from bottom of roasting pan. Simmer 5 minutes; whisk in sherry and remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons sage; simmer 8 to 10 minutes longer or until gravy thickens, stirring occasionally. Makes about 5 cups.
5.Carve turkey and serve with Sage Gravy.
Approximate nutritional values per serving:
585 Calories, 21g Fat (9g Saturated), 294mg Cholesterol,
1595mg Sodium, 5g Carbohydrates, 0g Fiber, 83g Protein
Cooking Clues
If you don’t have a roasting rack, place giblets in roasting pan, then place turkey directly on giblets.
Dietitian’s tip:
> Hosting for the holidays? Plan for 1 pound of turkey per person; this will ensure that you have enough (and have extras for those turkey sandwiches!). If you purchase a frozen turkey, plan to defrost ahead of time in the refrigerator on a clean tray. Plan for 24 hours per 5 pounds.
| 8-12 lb. | 2 to 2-1/2 days |
| 12-16 lb. | 2-1/2 to 4 days |
| 16-20 lb. | 4 to 5 days |
| 20-24 lb. | 5 to 6 days |