12 turkey recipes to make beautiful this Christmas

Christmas combines with family together, gift exchanges and, of course, a very tasty supper. And when it comes to food, what can’t be missed is the turkey! The habit of serving this bird was inherited from the Americans. Around 1621, in Massachusetts (USA), turkey was easy to fatten and raise, in addition to costing less than other meats. Soon, it ended up being the choice for the Thanksgiving celebration.

Time has passed and this delight is still present at Christmas for many Brazilians, with different recipes and side dishes. What doesn’t change is the joy of gathering loved ones around a rich table.

Are you already thinking about this year’s supper? Then check out these 12 turkey options, from the simplest to the most elaborate. Then just choose the one that will make everyone’s mouth water on the night of December 24th!

1. Turkey served with gravy

Forget the idea that turkey meat is dry and bland. The secret to this recipe is not to bake too long. The ingredients are easy to have at home and the gravy is irresistible. Use the liquid left over from the roast, mix it with onion, lemon, garlic and a little wheat flour. Step by step here.

2. Turkey with pancetta

This recipe has a special filling, made with navel oranges, garlic cloves, sage leaves and salt. Slices of pancetta should be arranged all over the breast of the turkey, which is baked in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Access the detailed recipe.

3. Juicy Christmas Turkey

To make the perfect Christmas turkey, try this tip: while it’s roasting, baste the meat from time to time so it doesn’t dry out on the outside, using a mixture made with white wine and butter. The result is juicy and full of flavor. Access the recipe for this recipe here.

4. Stuffed and flavored turkey

A recipe full of flavor can also be quite simple. Here, the turkey stuffing basically consists of lemon, onion, garlic and a bunch of fresh herbs. The difference lies in the brushstrokes with butter, thyme, zest and lemon juice. Make mouth water? Check the recipe details.

5. Turkey stuffed with dried fruit couscous

The spice aroma of this recipe is all about end of year celebrations. You can prepare it with whole turkey or boneless, as you prefer. Couscous, in turn, can be made with manioc flour or pre-cooked rice. Check the ingredients and method of preparation.

6. Turkey with bread and bacon stuffing

A dish with bacon hardly ever goes bad, right? Here it is used in the stuffing of the turkey, along with 2 cloves of garlic, 300g of Portuguese bread, olive oil, salt, pepper and 2 lemons. Serve the turkey decorated with rosemary sprigs. It’s a charm! Access the full recipe.

7. Turkey with lemon, herbs and white wine

In this proposal, the sweetness of the Sicilian lemon and the herbed butter help a lot to keep the turkey from drying out. Another secret is to marinate the meat as long as possible in a combination made with wine, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Learn step by step.

8. Turkey in Herb Butter and Lemon

The recipe uses a technique taught by presenter Jamie Oliver: passing well-seasoned butter between the meat and the skin of the turkey, spreading the flavor throughout and keeping the butter “stuck” by the skin. Check the ingredients list and learn how to prepare.

9. Turkey with braided bacon

Another recipe that takes the delicious flavor of bacon to Christmas dinner. Here, the idea is to cover the turkey with a weave made of bacon. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually easy to do and the presentation looks really nice. Serve with salad and potatoes or rice. Take a look at the step by step.

10. Turkey with Herb Butter

Important: You should start making this turkey recipe the day before serving. It should stay in the fridge with wine, garlic and salt for 24 hours. The turkey stuffing is sweet, made with apple, peach, pear and onion. Check the preparation details.

11. Turkey with spices

Follow this list of ingredients to ensure a result worthy of applause. Use lemon juice, pepper, cloves, ground cinnamon, onions, olive oil, garlic, wine, vinegar, bay leaf, parsley, chives, and marjoram. A festival of scents. See how to prepare this delight.

12. Turkey stuffed with wild rice

In addition to the stuffing made with wild rice, star anise and crushed cardamom, another special touch of this turkey is the syrup prepared with cane molasses, apple cider vinegar, melted butter, salt, nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Ideal for a more gourmet supper. Access the full recipe.

One recipe more amazing than the other, isn’t it? To make the supper complete, check out these Christmas dessert recipes to make this occasion very sweet!