Honoring Doreen’s Thanksgiving Tradition:
A Recipe for the Perfect Turkey
Many of you know Doreen as Cathy’s mother and Evan’s mother-in-law. She was truly an incredible woman, full of warmth, kindness, and a deep love for family traditions—especially when it came to cooking. Her approach to preparing Thanksgiving turkey was no exception, filled with care and attention to every detail.
After just a few minutes with Doreen, it was clear that she put her heart into everything, especially when it came to this recipe. This Thanksgiving, we’d love to share Doreen’s way of roasting the perfect turkey with you. It’s a recipe that’s been passed down with love, and we hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has to ours.
Doreen’s Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (size of your choice)
- Your favorite stuffing (we recommend ours!)
- Salt and pepper
- Melted butter or oil
- ½ to ¾ cup of chicken or turkey stock
Instructions:
- Prepare the Turkey:
- Unpack the giblets and neck from the turkey. Rinse and wipe out the cavity thoroughly.
- Season the inside with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Fill the neck and body of the turkey with your favorite stuffing.
- Truss the Turkey:
- Use skewers to fasten the neck skin to the back.
- Tie the legs together with butcher’s string to keep everything in place while roasting.
- Prepare the Pan:
- Place the turkey breast side-up in a large roasting pan.
- Brush the turkey with melted butter or oil, ensuring even coverage.
- Lightly salt and pepper the entire bird.
- Pour ½ to ¾ cup of chicken or turkey stock into the pan.
- If your roasting pan doesn’t have a tight-fitting lid, cover the turkey with a foil tent.
- Roasting:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Roast the turkey at 400°F for the first 15 minutes.
- Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F for the remaining time.
- Remove the foil and add more stock to the pan as needed.
- Baste the turkey with pan drippings regularly, especially during the last hour of roasting, until the bird turns golden brown and the pop-up thermometer signals that it’s done.
- Rest & Carve:
- Allow the turkey to rest for about 15 minutes after roasting. This helps the heat distribute evenly and makes it easier to carve without burning yourself.
A Final Touch of Love:
Doreen always believed that a well-roasted turkey could bring family and friends closer, and we’re honored to continue sharing her recipe with all of you. We hope it helps make your Thanksgiving meal even more special this year.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Village Grocer!
