Juicy turkey recipe for Thanksgiving! Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned turkey recipe!
Juicy Turkey
You guys are just the best. All your comments you left on Essy’s post are so beautiful and caring. Reading through and seeing all the love, reliving stories of your own past losts and just being the sweetest really made me feel better. I owe you all a donut. When you’re in Brooklyn, you holla at me, we have a date. Thanks again, it really means alot to our family. <3
In the post I shared Essy’s favorite holiday because it meant her favorite food, Thanksgiving and turkey. Give that girl a whiff of turkey and she was there. From the time the turkey was taken out of the wrapper until it came out of the oven, Essy was pacing like a nervous lady. She would be on the floor staring into the oven, on the kitchen island staring at the oven, on the table staring into the oven. When we opened the oven to get the turkey in and out someone had to hold her because there was no stopping her. She wanted that turkey. The best way to honor Essy we decided was to have Thanksgiving Dinner in January. Essy would want nothing more.
Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
So this week we went to the store to get Thanksgiving supplies and a feast was had. Throughout the making of I would look up just thinking about how just a few months ago she was staring me in the eyes, licking her lips, whispering into my brain “Feed me!”. During dinner, we talked about her and her beloved turkey. We knew that while we ate there was no doubt Essy would be between our plates trying to steal a piece (that’s after she finished her own plateful).
So on to one juicy delicious turkey to celebrate Essy!
This turkey is awesome and is now my official go to turkey recipe. It’s easy, you don’t need to brine overnight, the ingredients it calls for are basic and oh goodness it’s moist. Because you are going to stick butter between the skin and breast meat, it’s so juicy.
You can use seasoning salt but I recommend a seasoning rub. I used a citrus and savory rub that includes sea salt, sugar, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, lime, chili powder, chili pepper and paprika. Yum.
Into the oven this turkey goes..
And out comes this beauty..
Crinkles the Frog was taught well by Essy.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving in November or January or whenever you’re craving a juicy turkey!
One Juicy Turkey
PrintIngredients
- 1 12 pound whole turkey
- 6 tablespoons butter - cut into tablespoon slices
- 4 cups warm water
- 4 tablespoons chicken bouillon
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons seasoning rub
- 3 carrots - cut up into pieces
- 3 pieces of celery - cut up into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and rinse your turkey under water. Remove giblets and neck if you don't like them. Put turkey in roasting pan.
- Separate the skin over the breast meat and put 3 tablespoons (3 slices) of butter on both sides.
- In a bowl combine the warm water, chicken bouillon, parsley and onion powder. Pour over the turkey.
- Sprinkle seasoning rub all over the turkey.
- Distribute carrots and celery in the bottom of the pan.
- Put turkey breast side up, cover with foil and cook for 3.5-4 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Remove the foil for the last 45 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Mary Frances says
This is a really special way to celebrate Essy. You guys bake some good lookin’ turkeys!
Traci says
What a great way to honor Essy. She sounds like she had quite the personality. She will always be with you in memory and every Thanksgiving will always include a wonderful memory of her.
Joanne says
Having a second Thanksgiving would make me absurdly happy!!
ela@GrayApron says
I very much would like turkey in January…especially one that looks like above. Perfect! 🙂 ela
Kristi @ lifesprinkles says
What a wonderful tribute to your little lady. Sending lots of love your way xoxo
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I WISHHHHHHHHH my family liked turkey enough to make Thanksgiving again in January, alas, they do not. When I go home for Fourth of July, I always mention how I would LOVE to have Thanksgiving during the summer and they always turn me down! DUMB! Obviously I could make Thanksgiving for myself, but I don’t want ALL of those left overs! ha ha!
Pamela says
You’re invited over GiGi! Thanksgiving in the Summer is awesome. Last year we had a Thanksgiving in August with a bunch of friends, it was such a fun day.
Michelle says
Aw! I had a cat on my lap until I pressed play to the video. She heard your voice and went all around the computer to find you! :p I have never made a whole turkey before…actually, never made a whole anything. Now I have a good reference for the future. 🙂
Pamela says
Aww hello sweet kitty! 🙂
Pam says
I have a feeling Essy is looking down on you from cat heaven and is so happy to see you celebrate her with this beautiful bird! It looks delicious. xoxo
I forgot to tell you yesterday that the book Cat Heaven really has helped me heal when I lost my last two cats – it truly made me feel better. Here is a link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590100548
Pamela says
Thanks Pam, adding this to my library holds now. 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What a gorgeous bird in honor of Essy! Wonderful job, Pamela. Thanks for sharing.
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
No wonder Essy loved turkey so much. That turkey looks incredibly good! I’m ready to steal a piece. 🙂
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
What a lovely idea! And a great way to roast a turkey. Thanks for the idea.
Tara says
Ah, I am so ready for Thanksgiving already. Is it November yet?
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
such a beautiful tribute for Essy.
byeGeorge says
Touching story on your cat…but with more cats in the house…a cat owner should be cognizant that they are only there serve…thx…for your recipes, time and the blog…byeGeorge (~.-)
Monica says
Making this meal must have been so bittersweet for you. It is such a lovely gesture. Clearly, Essy had great taste in food.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
That is one perfect-looking turkey, Pamela. It’s so sweet that you had a feast in memory of Essy.
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Oh my, I don’t know how I missed the post on Essy. I just read it, and am bawling my eyes out! I am so sorry. Losing a pet is the hardest thing, I remember when I lost my childhood dog, Fred, we knew something wasn’t right when he wouldn’t even eat a piece of turkey, much like Essy. I’m sure it’s so comforting having those last few special days with her. I’m sure she would love this turkey 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I just made a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday!! 🙂 What a sweet way to remember Essy!
Kelly says
What a wonderful way to honor Essy. I’m sure she appreciated it and you definitely made her proud with this turkey – it looks so juicy and incredible 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Great way to remember Essy! Our first cat was a turkey fiend too — Thanksgiving was always so interesting. 😉
The Squishy Monster says
I think this is the best idea EVER, Pamela!!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
We did our first whole turkey together a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving this year. What a learning experience. This was such a fun way for you to celebrate Essy!
Prudy @butter, basil, and breadcrumbs says
What a special way to honor Essy… She would have loved this. What a wonderful recipe…simply delicious. The next time I make a turkey (and it will be soon after reading this…) it will be in Essy’s honor. <3
Donalyn@The Creekside Cook says
I am so sorry to hear about Essy – very hard to lose a pet 🙁
This recipe reminds me though, that I have a turkey still in my freezer – time to get that out and get it roasted up I think! Thanks for the spice rub idea – it looks wonderful.
Francine says
Best homage ever.
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
So special Pamela, thanks for sharing. That gorgeous, buttery turkey would make me pace and lick my lips too!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
This turkey looks delicious! Love all that butter you shoved under the skin. Yum!
Nora says
Oh, what a great way to honor Essy! You know she is pacing and meowing for that turkey, wherever she is right now 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
You are bringing tears t o my eyes! How sweet! I will probably think of Essy every time I cook a turkey from now on.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Turkey in January? Why not? By this time I’m craving turkey again. You’re making me hungry! 🙂