How to cook a whole turkey for thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving coming up, people everywhere are preparing to cook meals of all kinds for their gatherings. One of the classic thanksgiving meals cooked by many people is a whole turkey as it has been a primary symbol for thanksgiving throughout its history. One of the best things about cooking a whole turkey for Thanksgiving is that there are several different ways for you to prepare and cook the bird.
Turkey is one of the only Zabiha Halal-friendly meats that can be prepared in such a manner which is what makes it perfect for those that are looking for a halal compatible thanksgiving meal. While there are several different whole turkey recipes that you can choose from, one of our favorites is the herb-roasted turkey.
Herb-roasted whole turkey not only tastes great, but it also provides you with enough serving portions to feed your entire family during this holiday season. To help you make the best herb-roasted turkey, we’re going to provide you with one of our favorite recipes that you can cook right at home.
The total estimated amount of time that it will take you to prepare this meal is about 12 hours. The total amount of cooking time that it will take to complete this dish is around 3 hours and 30 mins. The total amount of time that is taken to make this meal is somewhere around 15 hours and 30 mins.
This herb-roasted whole turkey recipe is entirely Zabiha Halal-friendly and you can choose to replace certain ingredients so that the recipe better suits your desired taste preferences. To begin, let’s take a look at all of the main ingredients that you will need to collect before making this dish.
Main Ingredients for Herb Roasted Halal Turkey:
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Fresh Thyme
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Fresh Rosemary
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1 Whole turkey approx. 12lbs frozen (you will thaw it out later)
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1 Teaspoon of garlic salt
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1 Teaspoon of red chili flakes
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2 Lemon halves
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2 Garlic halves
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4 Orange halves
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2 Celery Stalks in 1” chunks
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Salt
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3 Teaspoon black peppercorn
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4 Teaspoon coriander
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3 Teaspoon fennel
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½ Teaspoon of green cardamom
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½ Cup unsalted butter
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2 Carrots cut into 1” chunks
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2 Medium onions cut into wedges
You can always replace or substitute certain ingredients on this list to fit your desired halal specifications. Make sure that you collect all of these ingredients so that you can begin the process of what it takes to successfully create a delicious whole turkey for thanksgiving.
Now, let’s take a look at all of the steps that you need to take to create a whole herb-roasted turkey below.
Instructions for Making Whole Herb Roasted Turkey:
Making whole halal compatible herb-roasted turkey is very simple yet it requires various different steps. Below, we’re going to provide you with an in-depth look at all of the steps you need to take in order to successfully create a herb-roasted turkey.
Step 1- Discard all of the inner body parts of the turkey including the neck and giblets, next you will want to begin mixing the herbs together to make the spice blend.
Step 2- Sift the fennel and coriander and then dry roast for a few minutes, grind the herb mixture coarsely and then proceed to add in the other herbs like salt, garlic salt, and chili flakes.
Step 3- Next, you want to melt some butter and rub the turkey with it, next you should rub the spice blend on the inside and outside of your turkey. Let the turkey sit for about 12-24 hours in the refrigerator.
Step 4- Now, you want to proceed in heating up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Stuff your turkey with fresh onions, carrots, lemons, oranges, and garlic.
Step 5- position your turkey with the breast side facing up in a roasting pan that has a rack attachment. You want to then tuck the wings of the turkey underneath its body, then you should cross the legs and tie them with kitchen string. Cover the turkey in a loose layer of aluminum foil and place your turkey in the middle of the oven.
Step 6- Place all of the remaining celery, onions, and carrots at the bottom of the roasting pan. You will want to roast the turkey for about 45 minutes or until it is golden brown.
Step 7- Remove your turkey from the oven, remove the aluminum foil and position the turkey with its breast up. Continue roasting the turkey until the thickest part is fully cooked or until it reaches 165 degrees which should take about 3 and a half hours to accomplish.
Step 8- Transfer the turkey to a carving board and let it rest for about 15-2- minutes by re-covering it with aluminum foil. You can either add fresh fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges or you can simply choose to leave your turkey whole.
Step 9- once all of the above steps are complete, you will be able to carve your herb-roasted turkey and enjoy it for your Thanksgiving meal.
Herb-roasted turkey is a very flavor-extensive dish that incorporates the use of several different ingredients to provide you with a great tasting dish that can be enjoyed at virtually any holiday gathering. Besides the dish being halal-friendly, herb-roasted turkey is also very healthy and contains a well-balanced nutritional composition which makes it perfect for those that still want to watch their weight this holiday season.
If you’re looking for a delicious zabiha halal-friendly meal to create for your next thanksgiving celebration, this is one of the best recipes that you’ll find for making a premium whole turkey that all of your family and friends should enjoy. As long as you follow this recipe step by step, you will be able to make a great-tasting whole turkey that is sure to make a lasting impression with everyone who takes a bite.
Enjoy our whole herb-roasted turkey recipe!
