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Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub

Michael Chiarello

Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

Show: Easy Entertaining with Michael ChiarelloEpisode: Relaxing Thanksgiving

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (43)

  • Cook Time:

    2 hr 45 min

  • Level:

    Intermediate

  • Yield:

    about 20 servings

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Times:

Prep
30 min
Inactive Prep
--
Cook
2 hr 45 min
Total:
3 hr 15 min
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Ingredients

  • 2 (8 to 10 pound) whole turkeys
  • 2 small whole onions, peeled
  • 2 carrots, halved
  • 2 celery stalks, halved
  • 1 quart chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 cup Fennel Spice Rub, recipe follows
  • 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 lemons, halved
  • 4 large carrots, halved lengthwise
  • 8 celery stalks
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove necks and giblets and put into a large saucepan. Add onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat and let simmer until reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and reserve; this is the turkey stock that you will use for the gravy.

Wash the turkeys, inside and out, and dry well. Coat inside and out with half of the olive oil. Season each turkey on the outside generously with the spice rub, pressing it in to adhere. Place 4 rosemary sprigs and 2 lemon halves inside the cavity of each turkey.

Arrange 4 of the halved carrots and 4 celery stalks on each of 2 half-sheet pans or baking sheets. Position each turkey on top of the carrots and celery so that the turkey does not rest directly on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle turkeys with remaining olive oil.

Roast until an instant-read thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads 165 degrees F and juices in the thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours; begin checking at 2 hours. Remove from the pans and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Reserve pan juices for gravy.

While turkeys are resting, make the gravy. In a medium heavy saucepan, cook flour and butter over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a blond roux is formed. Add pan juices and then reserved turkey stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer until thickened and ready to serve.

Carve turkey as desired and serve with gravy.

Fennel Spice Rub:

1 cup fennel seeds

3 tablespoons coriander seeds

2 tablespoons white peppercorns

3 tablespoons kosher salt

Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.

Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

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Read more Comments & Reviews (43)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    Lee Powder Springs, GA 11-28-2008

    Flag

    Didn't Like it

    Rated: 1 stars out of 5
    I wanted to try something new this thanksgiving. I usually used a rub that consists of Rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, salt... and pepper. I read all the great reviews on this rub and decided to try it. I toasted the fennel, coriander and pepper and the smell really turned me off. Fennell has a smell and a taste of black licorice. If you don't like black licorice....DONT make this rub. Other reviews did say the smell was bad so I decided to go forward. The turkey came out moist and the rub tasted better than it smelled, however I still tasted the black licorice (fennel) taste in every bite and I really didn't like it as much as my "usual" rub. If you are a fan of fennel than you will probably like this. If you are not....stay away!!!Read more
  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    William Reston, VA 10-28-2008

    Flag

    Fantastic Thanksgiving Turkey

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I made this for our 07 Thanksgiving dinner and all LOVED it. I received a call a short while ago requesting that I do it... agian this year. Thanks Mike!Read more
  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    Denise Brea, CA 11-21-2007

    Flag

    Roasted Turkey

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This is my absolute favorite way to prepare a roasted turkey. My family doesn't want our turkey prepared any other way as it... cooks up quickly and is always super moist. Thanks Michael - love your tips for preparing as much as possible ahead of the actual party.Read more
  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    Anonymous 11-10-2007

    Flag

    Excellent Recipe-- definitely a keeper

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    We made this turkey last year for Thanksgiving and will do so again this year. The fennel rub has such a unique flavor and... the turkey is very moist. We only roasted one turkey, so we had enough rub to use later. The gravy that accompanies this recipe is phenomenal-- by far the best gravy we have ever had.Read more
  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    Dawn Oldsmar, FL 03-28-2007

    Flag

    Unbelievably Delicious!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I have been making turkeys for years and decided to try this one after watching Michael make it. The only thing different I... did with the prep was to brine the turkey overnight. The turkeys cooked incredibly fast and the aroma of it cooking was wonderful. I couldn't believe how absolutely delicious this turkey was! Every one of my Thanksgiving guests raved about it. This will now be my standard recipe whenever I make turkey. THANK YOU so much, Michael!!!Read more
  • recipe Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
    Debra Minneapolis, MN 01-21-2007

    Flag

    A nice Thanksgiving change

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This recipe was a nice flavor change from our traditional Thanksgiving turkey. The rub was easy to make and it gave the... turkey a southwest flavor. The rub gave a nice taste to our leftover Turkey soup. We'll definitely make it again.Read more
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