How to Cook a Christmas Turkey

This year has flown by already, we can hardly believe Christmas is around the corner! This is the time of year in particular is a time where we reflect and treasure the moments spent with loved ones. That is why cooking a Christmas turkey can be so stressful, after all, no one wants to ruin the turkey on Christmas day. With that being said, at Lakeview Holiday Cottages we’ve chosen our favourite recipe for how to cook a Christmas turkey the easy way. Discover the recipe below and find out more about our Christmas holiday cottages in Somerset.

The Ingredients:

• 5kg turkey (serves 10) preferably free range or organic.
• Olive oil
• Sea salt and ground black pepper
• Fresh rosemary
• 2 onions, peeled and chopped roughly
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped

The Studding Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 300g of pork or sausage mince
• Sea salt and ground black pepper
• 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
• A few sprigs of sage leaves, chopped well
• A large handful of breadcrumbs

The Method: (cooking and preparation time is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes, plus resting time)

1. Remove the turkey from the fridge and allow to settle to room temperature (this can take an hour or more).
2. Drizzle olive oil generously over the meat and add a good few sprinkle of salt and pepper all over.
3. Preheat the oven to 220 °C/Gas 7. whilst you get started with the stuffing.
4. For the stuffing, pour a good amount of olive oil into a large pan and fry some chopped onions until softened for around 10 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper and then stir in the chopped sage leaves.
5. Spoon the onion and seasoning mixture into a large bowl and let it rest until completely cooled. After the mixture is cooled, combine with the mince (sausage or pork) and breadcrumbs. Be sure to use your hands and really scrunch together. Then roll into a ball and cover to chill until the turkey is ready to be stuffed.
6. To stuff your turkey, pull the skin and stuff the stuffing inside. Ensure you do not pack it too tight or this will slow down the cooking. Then pull and fold the turkey skin over the opening and tuck it underneath. You will likely have some stuffing leftover, which you can cook separately in stuffing balls.
7. Turn over the turkey and drop small amounts of leftover stuffing into the larger cavity along with a few sprigs of rosemary.
8. Proceed by placing your chopped vegetables (celery, onion and carrots) in the bottom of the dish you are using to cook your turkey. Then place the turkey on top.
9. Cover the turkey with tin foil and as you put it into the oven ensure the temperature is turned down to 180 °C/350°F/gas 4. If not, your turkey will burn so ensure this step is completed as soon as the turkey goes in the oven.
10. If you are using a smaller turkey, cook for three and a half hours. It is usually recommended to cook for 35 to 40 minutes per kilo. Keep an eye and regularly check on your turkey every 20 minutes or so. Use the juice from the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey from drying out by dousing the meat with it every time you check.
11. After 2 and a half hours, remove the aluminium foil to allow the skin to go golden and crispy.
12. Once the timer has finished, check to see if your turkey is ready. Check by sticking a small sharp knife into the fattest part of the thigh. If the meat pulls apart easily and juices are clear, then it is ready. If not just put the turkey back in the oven and check again in 15 minutes.
13. Let your turkey rest for at least an hour or more, covered with aluminium foil sheets and a cloth. This will ensure the turkey is packed with flavour and doesn’t lose its moisture. In the meantime, you can get other elements ready such as the gravy or vegetables.

And there you have it, an easy recipe for how to cook a Christmas turkey.

Christmas holiday cottage special offers in Somerset

Spend Christmas in Somerset at one of our self-catering cottages and receive a turkey, prosecco and mince pies all included in the package. This way even if you are away from home on a Christmas staycation you can still celebrate the traditional way. Our Christmas holiday cottages in Somerset are all equipped with a spacious kitchen and made for self-catering. There are also several things to do in Somerset at this time of year which we can advise you on.

For more information or enquiries call 01278 661 584 or email info@lakeviewholidaycottages.co.uk. You can book your Christmas holiday cottages in Somerset online on our website. Due to our selection of Christmas holiday cottage special offers in Somerset, our accommodations usually sell out, so make sure you secure your booking today! In light of this year’s events, we will do our best to provide you with an unforgettable experience this Christmas.

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