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Carved up lemon and thyme roast turkey with golden skin on a serving platter in a festive christmas setting.

Lemon and Thyme Roast Turkey with Shallots and Pan Gravy

Kitchen Stories
Anyone can cook
Difficulty
Medium
Total time
160 min
Cooking time
60 min
Allergens:
unsalted butterflour

Ah, the classic roast turkey. It’s a real centrepiece, isn’t it?
But who says classic has to be… well, predictable? We think it’s time to shake things up a bit. Let’s get some bright, zingy lemon and fragrant thyme involved. Imagine that aroma filling your kitchen as it roasts to golden perfection.
And the best part? That glorious pan gravy. We’re talking about scraping up all those delicious, caramelised bits from the bottom of the pan and turning them into liquid gold. It’s simple, it’s full of flavour, and it’s the perfect finish.
This isn’t just another roast. It’s an experience. Ready to get started?

Ingredients

10 servings:

1 whole turkey(8kg)

3 lemons

35 g thyme

250 g shallots

100 g salt

110 g unsalted butter

50 g brown sugar

6 cloves garlic

30 g flour

80 ml white wine

950 ml chicken stock

salt

pepper

Instructions

Step 1

At least 1 day or up to 2 days before roasting, brine the turkey. Combine the brown sugar and salt in a small bowl. Place the turkey on a baking sheet and pat dry. Coat thoroughly with the brining mixture. Transfer to the fridge to brine for up to 2 days. On the day of serving, preheat the oven to 220°C using Circo Roasting with Added Steam. Zest and quarter the lemons and crush the garlic cloves. Carefully rinse and pat turkey dry, then transfer breast-side-up to a baking tray. Add shallots to the base of the tray. Stuff the turkey with thyme and lemons, then truss with kitchen twine.

Shallots being placed onto a baking tray with a whole raw turkey.

Step 2

Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for approx. 40 min. or until browned all over. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat with the garlic cloves, thyme, and lemon zest. Keep warm while the turkey roasts. Once the turkey is browned all over, turn the oven down to 175°C. Baste the turkey with the butter mixture every 15 min. Save a few tablespoons of the butter for later. Check the internal temperature with the Wireless Meat Probe, and once the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 65°C, (approx. 60 min.) transfer the turkey with the roasting rack onto a baking sheet to rest for at least 30 min. or up to 1 hr. before carving. Reserve shallots for serving and remaining drippings for the gravy.

A whole raw turkey with a food thermometer on a baking tray being slid into an open oven.

Step 3

To make the gravy, transfer the drippings to a saucepan and set over medium heat. Mix flour and remaining butter together thoroughly in a small bowl, then add to the drippings and whisk constantly until gravy thickens. Increase heat and add white wine. Add chicken stock a little at a time, whisking constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and transfer to a gravy boat. Serve turkey with the onions and garnish with some citrus slices and herbs. Enjoy!

Gravy simmering in a pot on the stovetop, chicken stock being poured in while whisking.
Built-in black smart oven with digital touchscreen display set to 180°C, integrated into beige kitchen cabinets.
We suggest: NEFF Circo Therm®NEFF Circo Therm® - our smart hot-air solution for simultaneous baking and roasting on several levels.Find out more
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