Cider-Basted Roasted Turkey with Apple Gravy

Directions

  1. For turkey: Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F.
  2. Combine first 5 ingredients in small saucepan. Add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; bring liquid to boil. Set liquid aside.
  3. Mix 2 quartered apples, onion, thyme, sage leaves and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon in large bowl.
  4. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Sprinkle main cavity with salt and pepper. Spoon apple mixture into main cavity.
  5. Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely. Place turkey in large roasting pan. Rub turkey breast and legs with butter.
  6. Pour half of basting liquid over turkey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  7. Roast turkey 30 minutes. Pour remaining basting liquid over turkey. Roast 2 hours, basting turkey frequently with pan juices and adding 1 cup (or more) water to pan if juices have evaporated. Add all apple slices to pan juices around turkey.
  8. Cover turkey loosely with foil to keep from browning too quickly. Continue to roast until apples are tender, turkey is deep brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting frequently with pan juices, about 1-1/2 hours longer. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent loosely with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
  9. For gravy: Using slotted spoon, transfer apples from pan juices to bowl. Pour pan juices into 4-cup measuring cup. Spoon off fat and discard. Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 4 cups.
  10. Transfer broth mixture to large saucepan; simmer 5 minutes. Add reserved apples; simmer 2 minutes.
  11. Mix apple cider and cornstarch in small bowl. Whisk into gravy. Boil until gravy thickens, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  12. Discard mixture from turkey cavity. Serve turkey with gravy.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups apple cider, divided
  • 1/4 cup brandy, Calvados, or Applejack
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, ground
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup Nature's Best Dairy® Butter, room temperature
  • 10 Peak Fresh Produce® Apple(s), Golden Delicious, peeled, cored, 2 quartered, 8 sliced
  • 1 Peak Fresh Produce® Onion(s), Yellow Jumbo, sliced
  • 2 tsp. sage, dry
  • 8 sage leaves, large
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 6 thyme, fresh, fresh sprigs
  • 1 turkey(s), whole
  • 2 Tbsp. vinegar, cider
  • 1 cup water, or more
  • 2 cups West Creek® Broth, Chicken, low salt