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No More Dry Turkey! (+ Recipe)

written by

Whiffletree Farm

posted on

October 23, 2024

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner! In my opinion (farmer Jesse speaking), the Thanksgiving feast is the best meal of the whole year. And that perfectly juicy, pasture-raised roasted turkey is the star.

Ever wonder how to roast that perfect turkey your family and friends will love? This recipe has been a favorite our family has used for years, and it’s always a hit. No more dry turkey!

Grab one of our Whiffletree turkeys HERE and give this recipe a try! Make sure to let us know how you like it!

Happy eating!

P.S. And stay tuned to our blog! Each week leading up to Thanksgiving, we’ll be releasing info on everything turkey and Thanksgiving related…fun turkey facts, recipes, how-tos…you won’t want to miss it! 

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Click HERE to browse our Thanksgiving store!

-------------Recipes -------------

ROAST TURKEY AND GRAVY RECIPE

This recipe comes from 'Long Way on a Little' by Shannon Hayes. And is oriented for pasture-raised turkeys. It has worked great for Liz and me!

INGREDIENTS:

1 turkey, any size
1 large onion, quartered
2 carrots, quartered
1 bundle of fresh herbs of your choice, tied with kitchen twine
2 stalks celery, quartered
3 cloves garlic, whole, peeled
1 1/2 sticks butter (12 T)
Coarse sea salt and ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Set turkey in large roasting pan, breast side up. Insert vegetables, herbs, and garlic into cavity. Melt butter and pour over skin. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.  Roast for 8-10 minutes per pound, until internal temperature of breast is 165. Check internal temperature of legs at that point. If leg meat is not 165 when breast meat is done, you may carve off legs and put them back into the oven to cook longer.

GIBLET GRAVY RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

1 turkey neck, heart, and liver (detached and inside the cavity)
3 c chicken or turkey broth 
1/3 c flour
1 stick butter (8 T)
1/3 c flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place a saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 T butter and coat pan. Blot neck and giblets dry, then put in the pan with once inch of space around each so they can brown well. Sear each for 2-3 min. per side. Pour broth into pan with all giblets, cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 40 min. Remove giblets from broth and allow to cool, reserving broth. When cool, remove any gristle and bones from giblets and finely dice all.  When the turkey is finished roasting, pour off and reserve the pan juices. Then place the roasting pan over 1 or 2 burners on stove top and heat on Medium. Add 2 T butter to pan and, once it melts and bubbles, whisk in the flour to make a roux.  Continue to whisk 1-2 min. more--until the thin paste is browned.  Slowly whisk in pan juices and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and allow to simmer until thickened (about 5 min.), stirring often and scraping up bits from bottom of pan. Add 1 c of broth from cooking giblets and simmer until reduced by 1/3. Stir in diced giblets and enough broth to reach your desired consistency.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FLOUR-FREE PAN SAUCE ALTERNATIVE

INGREDIENTS:

Pan juices
Giblet broth
Giblets (minced)
Brown mustard
Butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine pan juices and giblet broth in roasting pan and simmer until reduced by 2/3. Whisk in minced giblets, 1 T brown mustard and 2 T butter.

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TURKEY THAWING INSTRUCTIONS

The rule of thumb is 24 hours per 5lbs of turkey to thaw in the fridge. So a 20 pounder would be about 4 days in the fridge. Maybe just add a day to be safe--not every fridge is the same temperature.

If you need to thaw faster, you can do it in your sink (or bathtub or cooler) with cold water. The rule of thumb there is about 2.5 hours per 5 lbs. of turkey. So a 20 pounder would be about 10 hours.

PORTION SIZING INSTRUCTIONS

A good rule of thumb is 1lb of whole turkey per adult for the Thanksgiving feast alone.  If you want left-overs, go to 2lb of whole turkey per adult.



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Tasty Curried Drumstick Recipe

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I grew up in the sunny south, until our family moved north to Virginia farmland where we lived for many years. To be raised with a connection to land is a heritage I treasure. Over time, that connection has evolved and become more layered.As an adult, I traveled to several areas in the US and abroad, where I worked with horses, cows, goats, chickens, groves, gardens, and vineyards. This work was done for several service projects in contexts rife with socioeconomic and cultural turmoil. That chapter of life brought me shoulder to shoulder with refugees, marginalized women, and struggling families. I witnessed firsthand how a connection to the land impacts the physical, mental, social, and economic health of individuals and communities.Following this impactful season, I settled in Pennsylvania to continue my education and career. When the events of 2020 unfolded, I unexpectedly returned to Virginia, and eventually joined the Whiffletree team. I’ve had various roles— from the store and fields to behind-the-scenes office work— and I've loved every moment. After nearly two years on-site, the time came to return to PA. And I had the huge privilege of continuing to work remotely for Whiffletree. If you’ve emailed, visited our website, or placed orders, you’ve likely interacted with me. Outside of Whiffletree, I work with my partner in PA, helping patients and clients improve pain, mobility, strength, and rehabilitation through physical manual therapy and functional coaching. I also volunteer at a farm that provides nature-centered therapeutic and educational services. My focus is working with rescued and repurposed horses who partner in community programs supporting children, women, families, and veterans. We also have goats and a pig.While I can’t be physically present at Whiffletree as much as I wish, I am deeply committed to its growth. My life experiences have reinforced the importance of nutrient-rich foods, the connection of humans to land and animals, and how farming plays a critical role in building thriving communities. Jesse is a truly gifted and humble leader, and the team he has assembled is second to none. I have immense respect for everyone who works tirelessly every day to make it all possible. Fun Facts: It is quite possible that I have consumed more Whiffletree hotdogs than any other human!I love when I'm with doctors, patients, or clients, and Whiffletree texts flash across my phone screen about hens, cattle, or turkeys :)I started at Whiffletree when there was only one freezer, no inventory system, and no online ordering-- we've grown so much!In my years helping Whiffletree's annual Thanksgiving turkey sale, I've spelled "turkey" incorrectly 15 times total (yes, I counted!). After you say the word countless times for months in a row, your brain plays tricks on you.I've clocked thousands of hours milking cows and goats, and helping farmers at harvests here and abroad.I enjoy being a teacher and mentor to athletes, women, and youth in programs for rehab and strength, trauma recovery, self-defense, and support for autism and other developmental hurdles.

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Whiffletree Farm

8717 Springs Road
Warrenton VA 20186
(540) 935-0600

info@whiffletreefarmva.com

Store Hours: M - F 11AM to 5PM; Sa 10AM to 5PM