Butter-Roasted Turkey with Gravy
Nothing says holiday meal like a roasted turkey. For this dish, we’re going to rub the turkey with butter and seasonings, and then roast it to perfection. The best part is, we’ll make the gravy right in the same pan! This dish is sure to be a hit, and the leftovers are great for sandwiches and casseroles.
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-pound) turkey, thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups turkey or chicken stock
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the turkey in a roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey.
- Roast the turkey for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and cover with foil. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes.
- Place the roasting pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add the stock, stirring constantly. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the gravy is thickened.
- Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.
Nutrition:
One serving of this dish (1/6 of the turkey) contains about 585 calories, 35 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, and 55 grams of protein. It also contains about 563 milligrams of sodium and 5 grams of dietary fiber.
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Mashed potatoes are a staple at holiday meals, and this version is especially delicious. We’ll caramelize the onions for a sweet, savory flavor, and then mix them into the mashed potatoes for a dish that will be a hit with everyone at the table.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown.
- Add the brown sugar and salt, and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Add the butter and cream, and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Stir in the caramelized onions and season with the pepper.
- Serve the mashed potatoes warm.
Nutrition:
One serving of this dish (1/6 of the recipe) contains about 294 calories, 21 grams of fat, 24 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of protein. It also contains about 492 milligrams of sodium and 3 grams of dietary fiber.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
This easy and delicious side dish is sure to be a hit. We’ll wrap asparagus spears in bacon and roast them in the oven until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Serve this alongside the turkey and mashed potatoes for a complete and delicious holiday meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 12 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the asparagus into 12 equal portions. Wrap each portion with a slice of bacon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the asparagus and sprinkle with the garlic powder, oregano, and pepper.
- Roast for 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the asparagus is tender.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition:
One serving of this dish (1/12 of the recipe) contains about 84 calories, 7 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of protein. It also contains about 350 milligrams of sodium and 1 gram of dietary fiber.
Cranberry Sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce is easy to make and much better than the canned stuff. We’ll simmer fresh cranberries with orange juice, sugar, and spices until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Serve this sweet and tangy sauce alongside the turkey and mashed potatoes for a complete holiday meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions:
- Combine the cranberries, orange juice, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrition:
One serving of this dish (1/12 of the recipe) contains about 84 calories, 0 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 0 grams of protein. It also contains about 1 milligram of sodium and 1 gram of dietary fiber.