Jun 09 2026
RestaurantsScratch Gourmet KitchenTraditional Turkey Dinner Recipe

Traditional Turkey Dinner Recipe

Time3h
Serves8

Roasted turkey served with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

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Ingredients

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Turkey

Stuffing

Cranberry Sauce

Method

Turkey

  1. 1

    Prepare the Turkey

    Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

  2. 2

    Season the Turkey

    Rub the turkey inside and out with salt, black pepper, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and minced garlic cloves.

  3. 3

    Roast the Turkey

    Place the turkey breast side up in a roasting pan. Roast for about 13 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Baste occasionally with pan juices.

  4. 4

    Rest the Turkey

    Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Stuffing

  1. 5

    Prepare the Vegetables

    In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

  2. 6

    Combine the Ingredients

    In a large bowl, mix the sautéed vegetables with bread cubes, chicken broth, sage, salt, and black pepper.

  3. 7

    Stuff the Turkey

    Stuff the turkey cavity with the mixture and any remaining stuffing can be baked separately in a greased baking dish for about 30 minutes.

Gravy

  1. 8

    Make the Gravy

    After removing the turkey, place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add turkey drippings and scrape up any browned bits.

  2. 9

    Thicken the Gravy

    Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute. Gradually add chicken broth, whisking continuously until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and black pepper.

Cranberry Sauce

  1. 10

    Cook the Cranberries

    In a saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

  2. 11

    Thicken the Sauce

    Reduce heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in orange zest.

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