Thanksgiving is the ultimate holiday for food lovers, and a turducken might be the showstopping centerpiece you need. A culinary marvel, a turducken is made by layering a boneless chicken inside a boneless duck inside a whole turkey with stuffing. While it may take a little longer to roast than a standard Thanksgiving turkey, its stunning presentation and flavor-packed layers are well worth the wait.
How to Roast a Thanksgiving Turducken
Ingredients:
- 1 TBS Turducken (pre-assembled)
- Aromatic vegetables: carrots, onions, celery, and garlic (for the roasting pan)
- Chicken or turkey broth, as needed
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). The turducken will need several hours to roast to perfection, so it’s best to start early, especially if your turducken is on the larger side.
2. Add Aromatics to the Roasting Pan
Arrange carrots, onions, celery, and garlic in the bottom of a large roasting pan. These vegetables will add flavor to the drippings, which you can use later for gravy. Add a cup of chicken or turkey broth to the pan to keep the turducken moist. You can add more broth if needed throughout the cooking process to prevent the drippings from burning.
3. Roast the Turducken
Place the turducken breast-side up in the roasting pan. Cover the pan with foil and place it in the oven. Turduckens generally take about 25-30 minutes per pound. For a 15-20 lb turducken, this translates to 6-8 hours. When it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s ready to come out.
4. Let It Rest
Allow the turducken to rest for 30-45 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, making for a juicier and easier-to-slice turducken.
5. Carving the Turducken
Start by slicing crosswise to show off the distinct layers of turkey, duck, and chicken. Serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides and enjoy the “wow” moment as guests marvel at the multi-bird creation!
Tips for Success
- Take Your Time: Turducken requires patience. The low and slow roasting ensures each layer is perfectly cooked.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Given the density of the roast, this is the most reliable way to ensure your turducken is cooked to perfection.
- Baste for Extra Moisture: Basting occasionally with the drippings helps keep the turducken moist, especially during the last hour.
- Make Gravy: Use the drippings and vegetables in the roasting pan to create a rich, flavorful gravy.
Pre-order your Thanksgiving Turducken from The Butcher Shop
With layers of flavor, a beautiful presentation, and the novelty of three birds in one, your turducken will surely be the centerpiece that gets everyone talking at the Thanksgiving table. The Butcher Shop is taking turducken and other Thanksgiving meat pre-orders through November 20 or while supplies last, so get your order in now. TBS also carries fresh-baked loaves of bread, fresh produce, local wines and beers, and everything you need to complete your holiday meal. Stop by today or give us a call to pre-order your ingredients.