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a classic roast turkey beside a gravy boat on a holiday table in a wide horizontal shot, golden crispy skin and steaming gravy, candles, pine, and fall vegetables around the table, warm inviting light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Classic Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy

A basic roast turkey served with silky gravy from the pan drippings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey 12 lb
  • 0.5 cup butter softened
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp salt

Method
 

  1. Rub the turkey with butter and salt, then place the onion and celery in the cavity.
  2. Roast at 325F until the thigh reads 165F, about three hours, then move the turkey to a board to rest.
  3. Set the roasting pan over a burner and whisk the flour into the drippings.
  4. Slowly pour in the broth, whisking until the gravy thickens and simmers.
  5. Strain the gravy, season to taste, and serve alongside the carved turkey.

Notes

Scrape up the browned bits in the pan while making the gravy, since that's where all the flavor lives.