Ingredients
- 1 (12-pound) fresh or frozen whole turkey, thawed
- 2 cups fresh orange juice (about 6 oranges)
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup bourbon, divided
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 4 oranges, peeled
- Cooking spray
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Orange slices (optional)
- Flat-leaf parsley sprigs (optional)
Directions
Remove giblets and neck from turkey; discard. Rinse turkey thoroughly with cold water; pat dry. Combine orange juice, water, 1/2 cup bourbon, and molasses in a 2-gallon heavy-duty ziptop plastic bag; add turkey. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 4 to 24 hours turning bag occasionally. Remove turkey from bag, reserving marinade.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Tie ends of legs with cord. Lift wing tip up and over back and tuck under bird. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt into body cavity. Stuff cavity with oranges. Place turkey on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray or on a rack set in a shallow pan. Insert meat thermometer into meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone. Bake at 350 degrees for 3 hours or until thermometer registers 180 degrees. (Cover loosely with foil if it gets too brown.) Remove turkey from oven. Cover loosely with foil; let stand at least 10 minutes before carving. Discard oranges.
Pour reserved marinade into saucepan; bring to a boil. Skim foam from mixture with a slotted spoon; discard. Reduce heat to medium; cook until reduced to 3 1/2 cups (about 15 minutes). Combine 1/4 cup bourbon and flour in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add to reduced marinade; bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve sauce with turkey. Garnish with orange slices and parsley sprigs if desired.
















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By lkatt
Washington, DC
on December 15, 2012
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This is ok. It's a great recipe for a first turkey. I would increase the bourbon and use tart oranges for the cavity. Not bad. Pairs well with almost any dressing.
By fordbroncoiigir...
Coeur d'Ale...
on November 18, 2009
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I made this turkey years ago for Thanksgiving and it is everyone's favorite. I have made attempts to try other recipes, but have been threatened with people not showing up for holiday gatherings if I don't make it. Needless to say, everyone loves it. The bourbon cooks up sweet, mixing well with the molasses and orange juice to give this turkey a unique taste. Also, stuffing it with oranges is a GREAT way to instill more flavor into the turkey while keeping it moist. This one will be on our holiday tables for a long time to come.
By salubriousbunny
Minneapolis, MN
on November 25, 2008
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I made this recipe about 10 yrs ago from the original printing in Cooking Light. It was delicious! I'm not sure if I did something different than the others, but the turkey was moist and each bite fragrant with orange. I didn't like the gravy that the bourbon flavor made though, so I just make a separate one.
I do think I'm going to try adding some other herbs this time though, possibly herbs de provence since that pairs with citrus well.
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