Southern Braai Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
Photography by Charmaine Mampe Ramalope-Makhubela
Flavorful, succulent and roasted to perfection, this Thanksgiving Roast Turkey recipe is simple to make and will definitely impress your guests. Infused with our Southern Braai – Fermented BBQ Sauce, which is mild but packed with loads of flavor.
Serves:
12
PREP & COOK TIME:
30 mins prep time
3 hours cook time
Calories:
382 per serving
FOR THE ROAST TURKEY:
Turkey, fully thawed
12 lb
Onion, peeled and quartered
1
Lemon, quartered
1
Sprig fresh rosemary
1-2
Sprig fresh thyme
1-2
Sprig fresh sage
1-2
Salt and pepper
to taste
FOR THE SOUTHERN BRAAI HERB BUTTER:
Unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup
Garlic, minced
6 cloves
Salt
1 tsp
Black Pepper
1/2 tsp
Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbs
Fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tbs
VEGETABLES UNDER TURKEY (optional, but recommended!):
Onion, peeled and quartered
1
Ribs celery, roughly chopped
3
Carrots, roughly chopped
2
DIRECTIONS:
FOR THE ROAST TURKEY:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper. Then fill it with the onion, lemon, and fresh herbs.
- In a small bowl, make the herb butter by stirring the softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, Southern Braai Sauce, rosemary and thyme together.
- Loosen the skin of the turkey gently by sliding your fingers underneath. Then rub about 1/3 of the herb butter between the skin and turkey breasts.
- Rub the remaining herb butter all over the entire outside of the turkey.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack or on top of a bed of vegetables and roast for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 158°-160°F.
- Let the roast turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.
