Herb-Infused Turkey with Cranberry Pecan Stuffing and Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

For the Turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (about 12 lbs)
- 1/2 cup turkey garlic herb butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

For the Brine:
- 1 cup salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 gallon water
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 tablespoons spices (such as black peppercorns, bay leaves)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

For the Cranberry Pecan Stuffing:
- 4 cups cornbread, cubed
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup cranberries
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped

For the Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes:
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Brine the Turkey:
- In a large stockpot, combine salt, sugar, water, lemon slices, spices, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then cool completely.
- Submerge the turkey in the cooled brine, cover, and refrigerate for 18-24 hours.

2. Prepare the Turkey:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
- Rub the entire turkey with turkey garlic herb butter and olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Cook the Turkey:
- Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven, basting occasionally with drippings, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, about 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.

4. Prepare the Cranberry Pecan Stuffing:
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing until soft.
- Add pecans, cranberries, and fresh sage. Stir in the cubed cornbread and pour in the broth, mixing until combined.
- Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven at 350°F (177°C).

5. Make the Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes:
- Increase oven temperature to 400°F (204°C).
- In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Toss to coat evenly.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast until tender and caramelized about 35 minutes.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Brining time: PT24H
24 hours

- Preparation time: PT45M
45 minutes

- Cooking time: PT4H
4 hours

Total Time

PT28H45M
28 hours and 45 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Turkey, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Maple Glazed, Cranberry, Pecan, Thanksgiving Dinner, Oven Roasted, Herb-Infused, Holiday Meal

Recipe Yield

Serves 8 adults

Calories

Total: 6800 calories

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