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Roast Turkey with Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing

A magnificent centerpiece dish featuring a perfectly roasted, juicy turkey infused with aromatic herbs, accompanied by a flavorful apple-sourdough bread stuffing boasting crisp apples and savory notes. Ideal for holiday gatherings, this recipe promises a memorable and delicious meal.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Turkey
  • 1 whole turkey 12-14 lbs, thawed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage finely chopped
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large yellow onion quartered
  • 2 stalks celery roughly chopped
  • 1 large apple e.g., Gala or Honeycrisp, quartered
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth plus more if needed
For the Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing
  • 1 large loaf sourdough bread about 1 lb, day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions finely chopped
  • 4 stalks celery finely chopped
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth plus more if needed
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten

Equipment

  • Large roasting pan with V-rack
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Kitchen Twine
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Small saucepan or bowl (for butter mixture)
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven (for stuffing)
  • Baking Sheet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish (for extra stuffing)

Method
 

Prepare the Turkey
  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging, carefully removing the giblets and neck from both cavities. Pat the turkey very dry inside and out with paper towels. This step is crucial for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, finely chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until you have a cohesive herb butter paste.
  3. Gently slide your hand under the skin over the turkey breasts and thighs to create pockets, being careful not to tear the skin. Evenly spread about half of the herb butter mixture under the skin. Rub the remaining herb butter mixture generously all over the exterior of the turkey.
  4. Loosely stuff the main cavity of the turkey with the quartered yellow onion, roughly chopped celery, and quartered apple. Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips underneath the body to prevent them from burning.
  5. Place the prepared turkey on a V-rack set in a large roasting pan. Pour 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth into the bottom of the roasting pan. This will add moisture and create pan drippings for gravy.
Prepare the Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the 1-inch sourdough bread cubes evenly on a large baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and dry. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) for turkey roasting.
  2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onions and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
  3. Add the peeled, cored, and diced Granny Smith apples to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly tender but still hold their shape.
  4. Remove the skillet from heat. Transfer the cooked vegetable and apple mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the toasted sourdough bread cubes, chopped fresh parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 2 lightly beaten eggs with 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth. Pour this mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Toss gently until all the stuffing ingredients are evenly moistened. If the stuffing appears too dry, add a little more broth, 1/4 cup at a time, until it reaches a moist but not soggy consistency.
Roast the Turkey and Bake the Stuffing
  1. Loosely fill the turkey's neck cavity with some of the prepared stuffing (do not overpack as it expands during cooking). For food safety, it is highly recommended to bake any remaining stuffing in a separate baking dish.
  2. Cover the roasting pan containing the turkey loosely with aluminum foil, creating a tent to prevent the foil from touching the turkey skin.
  3. Place the turkey in the preheated 325°F (160°C) oven. Roast for 2.5-3 hours, basting the turkey every hour with the pan juices to keep it moist.
  4. After 2.5-3 hours, remove the foil from the roasting pan and increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue roasting for another 45-60 minutes, or until the turkey skin is golden brown and crispy. The most crucial indicator of doneness is temperature: a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching bone) should register 165°F (74°C). The stuffing inside the turkey should also reach 165°F (74°C).
  5. For any separately baked stuffing, transfer it to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake alongside the turkey, uncovered, for the last 30-45 minutes of the turkey's cooking time, or until it's golden brown and heated through. Ensure it also reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve
  1. Once the turkey reaches the target internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), carefully remove it from the oven. Transfer the turkey to a large cutting board and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This critical step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
  2. Immediately after the resting period and before carving, remove any stuffing from the turkey cavity and combine it with the separately baked stuffing.
  3. Carve the turkey and serve warm alongside the delicious Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing.

Notes

For extra crispier skin, you can air dry the turkey in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours before roasting. If the turkey skin starts to brown too quickly during roasting, you can re-tent it with foil. Always rely on a meat thermometer for accurate doneness, not just cooking time. Leftover turkey and stuffing can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also make a delicious gravy from the pan drippings while the turkey rests.