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If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table, this Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey is the ultimate game changer. The smoky bacon melds with a perfect blend of spices, creating a turkey that’s moist, flavorful, and unforgettable. This recipe brings a fresh twist to the traditional turkey, and I promise your guests will be begging for seconds!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This bacon-wrapped turkey is a must-try if you’re craving something new for Thanksgiving. Here’s why it’s so special:
- Bold flavors: The smoky bacon paired with the paprika, cayenne, and garlic makes each bite pack a punch.
- Moist and juicy: Bacon under the skin ensures that the turkey breasts stay moist, while the cavity filled with aromatics infuses the meat with subtle flavors.
- Easy to prepare ahead: You can season and prepare the turkey the day before, leaving more time for the rest of your holiday prep.
- Impressive presentation: When you bring this beautiful, golden-browned turkey to the table, it’s bound to steal the show!
The aroma as it roasts will fill your kitchen with warm, savory notes, perfect for building that holiday excitement!
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need a 12-15 pound turkey, along with a few flavorful staples to make a knockout spice rub and aromatic stuffing. Here’s what you need:
- Turkey: 12-15 pounds
- Kosher salt: 2 Tablespoons
- Light brown sugar: 2 Tablespoons
- Smoked paprika: 2 teaspoons
- Freshly ground black pepper: 2 teaspoons
- Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Cayenne pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Bacon: ½ pound, roughly chopped
- Olive oil: 2 Tablespoons
- Aromatics: Celery, carrots, onions, apples, lemon, fresh rosemary, and thyme
- Additional salt and pepper: As needed for seasoning
Necessary Tools
- Roasting pan: For cooking the turkey.
- Kitchen twine: To tie the legs.
- Instant-read meat thermometer: Essential for checking doneness.
- Food processor: To create the bacon spice paste.
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Buy Now → Step-by-Step Instructions for Bacon Roasted Turkey
1. Prep Your Turkey
Make sure your turkey is fully thawed. Take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. This helps ensure more even cooking.
2. Preheat and Prepare the Rub
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey, then pat it dry with paper towels. Combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this spice mix for later.
Add the remaining spice blend and the chopped bacon to a food processor and pulse until you create a paste.
3. Season and Stuff the Turkey
Gently loosen the turkey skin by wiggling your fingers underneath, from both the front and back. Season the inside of the turkey’s cavities generously with salt and pepper, then stuff them with the chopped celery, carrots, onions, apples, lemon, and fresh herbs. This will infuse the turkey with subtle flavors and help keep it moist.
4. Bacon Spice Paste Under the Skin
Carefully massage the bacon-spice paste under the loosened turkey skin, making sure to evenly distribute it over the breasts. This layer of flavor ensures that your turkey stays juicy and delicious.
5. Roast the Turkey
Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and sprinkle the reserved spice mix on the outside. Tuck the wings under the bird and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Set the turkey on top of the chopped vegetables in your roasting pan and tent the breast area with foil to prevent over-browning.
Roast the turkey for 13-15 minutes per pound, basting occasionally with pan juices, until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached for the breasts and 170°F for the thighs.
6. Rest and Carve
Once the turkey is done, let it rest for 30-45 minutes under a loose tent of foil. This allows the juices to redistribute, making for easier carving and a more succulent bird.
What to Serve with Bacon Roasted Turkey
To complement this flavorful turkey, you can’t go wrong with hearty sides like cheesy scalloped potatoes, buttery dinner rolls, and fresh cranberry sauce. Add a veggie dish, like roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans, for balance. If you’re looking for more side dish ideas, check out my recipe for air fryer steak bites—they make for an excellent appetizer!
Tips for the Best Bacon Roasted Turkey
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the turkey up to 24 hours in advance. Rub it with the spice blend, stuff with aromatics, and tie the legs together the day before to save time on Thanksgiving.
- Foil Tent: Don’t forget to tent the turkey’s breast area to prevent it from overcooking while the rest of the bird reaches the right temperature.
- Basting: While basting isn’t strictly necessary, it can enhance the flavor and crispiness of the skin. Baste with pan drippings a couple of times during the cooking process.
Storing Leftover Turkey
Refrigerate leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the turkey meat, either whole or shredded, for up to 2 months. Be sure to save the turkey carcass for homemade turkey broth—perfect for soups later in the season!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when my turkey is done?
Your turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and 170°F in the thighs. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
Can I make this recipe with a smaller turkey?
Yes! You can adjust the cooking time to about 13-15 minutes per pound. Just be sure to keep an eye on the internal temperature as you go.
Can I use this recipe for a smoked turkey?
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for roasting, the smoky flavors would pair beautifully with a smoked turkey method. Adjust the cooking time based on your smoker and follow the same guidelines for internal temperatures.
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Buy Now → Conclusion
This Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey is the perfect balance of tradition and innovation, delivering rich, smoky flavors and juicy meat. Whether you’re a Thanksgiving pro or cooking your first holiday bird, this recipe makes it easy to impress your guests with minimal fuss. Be sure to give it a try this year—you won’t be disappointed!
For more delicious holiday recipes, check out my favorites like healthy cookies recipe with no sugar or flour for a light dessert option!
Love this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest and share your creations!
Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
- Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey brings a bold and flavorful twist to your holiday feast! The smoky bacon combined with a perfectly balanced spice rub ensures the turkey stays juicy and delicious. Whether it’s your first time roasting a turkey or you’re a seasoned pro, this recipe will make Thanksgiving dinner a mouthwatering success. Serve it alongside classic sides for an unforgettable meal!
Ingredients
- 12–15 pounds turkey
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ pound bacon, roughly chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Additional salt and pepper, as needed
- Aromatics: 6 celery ribs (roughly chopped), 6 carrots (roughly chopped), 2 onions (roughly chopped), 2 apples (quartered), 1 lemon (halved), 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Prep the Turkey: Ensure the turkey is fully thawed and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove giblets and neck, then pat the turkey dry.
- Make the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the rub.
- Make Bacon Paste: Add the remaining spice rub and chopped bacon to a food processor and pulse to create a paste.
- Season the Turkey: Gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast, then massage the bacon paste under the skin, evenly distributing it. Season the cavities with salt and pepper, then stuff with celery, carrots, onions, apples, lemon, rosemary, and thyme.
- Roast: Place the turkey on a bed of chopped vegetables in a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the reserved spice rub over the outside. Tent the breast with foil and roast for 13-15 minutes per pound, basting occasionally, until internal temperatures reach 165°F in the breast and 170°F in the thighs.
- Rest and Carve: Let the turkey rest for 30-45 minutes under foil before carving.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: Prep the turkey up to 24 hours in advance by seasoning it and stuffing with aromatics. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for an hour before roasting.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Serving Suggestions: This turkey pairs beautifully with cheesy scalloped potatoes or roasted veggies for the perfect holiday meal!
- Prep Time: 45 minute
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 10 oz cooked turkey)
- Calories: 350kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
