Roasted Orange Turkey

Name: Roasted Orange Turkey
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds); 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup grated orange zest; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 large navel orange, quartered; 1 large apple, quartered; 1 small onion, quartered; 1 cup unsweetened apple juice; 1/2 cup orange juice

I like to bake my turkey a little different every year, so I came up with an orange mixture to rub under the skin. It gives the meat a delicate orange flavor that tastes even better the next day. —Brenda Brooks, Bowie, Maryland

Ingredients

1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 large navel orange, quartered
1 large apple, quartered
1 small onion, quartered
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup orange juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, orange zest and ginger. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub some of the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks.
Rub remaining butter mixture inside turkey cavity; fill with orange, apple and onion. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Carefully pour juices over turkey.
Bake, uncovered, 3 to 3-3/4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.
Cover and let stand 20 minutes before carving. Discard fruit and onion from cavity. Skim fat and thicken pan juices if desired.

Originally published as Baked Orange Turkey in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2013