Healthy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Looking for a healthy way to cook up that Thanksgiving turkey? Using fresh herbs will make that bird the star of the show- and your waistline will thank you!

When I started this journey, I didn't make drastic changes. I didn't stop eating or start starving myself. I simply made small, healthier choices day by day, and those little things add up to big results! Using recipes like this from the nutrition team at BeachBody have helped me along the way.

Turkey is the main event of Thanksgiving dinner, so it’s definitely not something anyone wants to mess up. If you’ve been put in charge of the bird this year, then follow along with this recipe to make a flawless (and healthy) turkey. Get more tips for roasting turkey here, and learn how to carve it like a pro here.

Total Time: 4 hrs. 35 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 4 hrs.
Yield: 24 servings, 4 oz. each

Ingredients:

1 (18 lb.) raw whole turkey
1½ tsp. sea salt
2 Tbsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1½ tsp. dried thyme leaves
1½ tsp. dried ground sage
1½ tsp. dried oregano leaves
1½ tsp. dried basil leaves
6 cups low-sodium organic chicken (or turkey) broth, divided use
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
18 fresh marjoram sprigs, leaves removed and finely chopped, stems discarded
18 fresh parsley sprigs, finely chopped
2 medium onions, cut into ¼-inch slices
2 medium carrots, cut into ¼-inch slices
2 medium celery stalks, cut into ¼-inch slices
2 medium leeks, cut into ¼-inch slices
1 garlic head, halved crosswise

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 450° F. Place rack in lowest position in oven.

2. Remove turkey neck and giblets from inside turkey; rinse turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

3. Combine salt, pepper, thyme, sage, oregano, and basil in a small bowl; mix well.

4. Slide your hand under the skin of the turkey breast to loosen. Rub the pepper mixture inside turkey cavity, under skin, and on skin.

5. Pour ¼ cup broth into turkey cavity.

6. Combine ¾ cup broth and chopped garlic in a small bowl; pour over turkey.

7. Combine marjoram, parsley, onions, carrots, celery, and leeks in a large bowl; mix well. Place in turkey cavity with garlic head.

8. Tie turkey legs together with cooking string. Place turkey breast side up on cooking rack set in a large, heavy roasting pan. Pour 2 cups broth into bottom of roasting pan. Tent aluminum foil over turkey and sides of the pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

9. Reduce heat to 325° F. Bake for an additional 3 to 3½ hours, basting with remaining 3 cups broth and pan juices every 20 minutes. Remove aluminum foil after 2½ hours. Bake until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 180° F, and juices run clear.

10. Let sit for 20 minutes before carving. Discard skin before serving.

I hope you enjoy this recipes, as well as many of the other originals I have created throughout my weight loss journey that are shared here on my blog! Please SUBSCRIBE and share these with a friend you want to inspire to make healthy choices. As always, love healthy, live happy!




Star Diamond Coach Amanda Noddings
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