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Bacon-Wrapped Turkey: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Bird

Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
Grace Parisi
Cook Time:
3 hrs 30 mins
Prep Time:
40 mins
Servings:
10 to 12
RATE THIS RECIPE
(1418)

Chef notes

As if Thanksgiving couldn't get any more decadent, this show-stopping bacon-wrapped turkey is the ultimate indulgence. The bacon blanket is not only impressive to look at, but it adds a deep, rich flavor and keeps the turkey incredibly moist. (It makes the gravy pretty tasty too!)

 

Ingredients

  • 12 to 14 pound turkey
  • 1 onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 pound sliced bacon
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups turkey stock, preferably homemade

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350° and arrange the shelf nearest the bottom.

How to make bacon-wrapped turkey: start to form a lattice
Grace Parisi

Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a work surface. Arrange half of the bacon in strips, side to side to form a square. To form a lattice, working from the left side of the square, fold back every other strip of bacon the width of a slice. Lay a new slice of bacon over the unfolded strips and return the folded bacon to the original position.

How to make bacon-wrapped turkey: weave bacon until you have a woven square
Grace Parisi

Continue weaving the remaining bacon in the same manner, until you have a woven square. Slide the parchment onto a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer for 10 minutes, until the bacon is firm.

How to make bacon-wrapped turkey: place the turkey on a cutting board and tie the legs together
Grace Parisi

Place the turkey on a cutting board and tie the legs together.

How to make bacon-wrapped turkey: arrange the bacon square so that the 4 corners are at the neck, the cavity and both wings.
Grace Parisi

Remove the bacon from the freezer and working quickly, carefully lift it from the parchment. Arrange the bacon square so that the 4 corners are at the neck, the cavity and both wings. Tuck the bacon around the bird, covering the breast and legs. Season with pepper. 

How to make bacon-wrapped turkey: place the turkey onto a roasting rack set in a roasting pan
Grace Parisi

Place the turkey onto a roasting rack set in a roasting pan and scatter the vegetables, neck and giblets all around. Add 3 cups of water to the pan. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and roast for 1 ½ hours, adding water to keep the vegetables moist. Remove the foil and roast until in instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165°, about 1 ½ hours longer. 

Carefully transfer the turkey to a cutting board while you make the gravy. Strain the pan juices into a heat-proof cup and spoon 4 tablespoons of the fat into a large saucepan. Discard the remaining fat. Whisk the flour into the fat and cook over moderately high heat until bubbling and nutty, about 4 minutes. Add the turkey stock and defatted pan juices and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.

Grace Parisi is a New York City-based food writer, cookbook author and food stylist. Her book, Get Saucy, was nominated for a James Beard award. Her latest book, Quick Pickles comes out in Spring 2016. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.