Turkey with Cherry Stuffing Recipe

Turkey with Cherry Stuffing Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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From Elk Rapids, Michigan, Kathy Lee notes, "Since out state is a big producer of cherries, I use them often. They add lots of flavor to poultry stuffing."

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Turkey with Cherry Stuffing Recipe

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 3-1/2 hours + standing

Yield: 10-12 Servings

25 210 235

Ingredients

8 bacon strips, diced
1-1/2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
7 ounces unseasoned stuffing cubes
1-3/4 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
Melted butter

Directions

In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender.
In a large bowl, combine the stuffing cubes, broth, sage, thyme, pepper and salt. Stir in the bacon, celery mixture and cherries.
Just before baking, loosely stuff the turkey. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush with butter.
Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 180° for the turkey and 165° for the stuffing, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.
Cover turkey and let stand for 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving turkey. If desired, thicken pan drippings for gravy. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (4 ounces) equals 642 calories, 27 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 249 mg cholesterol, 577 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 76 g protein.

Originally published as Turkey With Cherry Stuffing in Taste of Home October/November 2004, p13