Picture this: a perfectly roasted turkey resting on your dining table, its golden, crispy skin glistening and the tender, juicy meat packed with incredible flavor. Now, imagine that you created this show-stopping centerpiece for your Instagram-worthy Thanksgiving feast. Stop imagining and make it a reality with Gordon Ramsay’s roast turkey recipe, bringing restaurant-quality results to your very own kitchen!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 free-range turkey (about 5 kg)
• 2 onions, peeled and halved
• 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally
• 6 bay leaves
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Lemon, Parsley, and Garlic Butter

• 375 g butter
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• Zest and juice of 2 small lemons
• A small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

EQUIPMENT

• Large bowl
• Roasting tray
• Oven
• Knife
• Spoon

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 220°C while you prepare the herb butter.
• Make the herb butter: In a large bowl, combine the butter with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of olive oil, then mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic. Mix well until fully combined.
• Prepare the turkey: Clean out the turkey cavity and season it generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the onion halves, lemon halves, garlic halves, and 2 bay leaves.
• Butter under the skin: Gently loosen the turkey skin with your hands. Spread the herb butter evenly under the skin, ensuring good coverage. Tuck the remaining 4 bay leaves under the skin for extra flavor.
• Season the skin: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting tray. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the turkey’s skin. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and rub it evenly to coat the skin completely.
• Roast the turkey: Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C and roast the turkey for 2 ½ hours. Baste the turkey and check it every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Rest and serve: Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for about 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaves from under the skin, carve, and serve with gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

NUTRITION (PER SERVING)

• Serving Size: 110 g
• Calories: 214 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Fat: 8.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Cholesterol: 124 mg
• Sodium: 117 mg
• Potassium: 271 mg

Enjoy the flavors of this restaurant-quality turkey at your next feast!