Roasted Turkey With Pomegranate-Thyme Glaze

Roasted Turkey With Pomegranate-Thyme Glaze
4.5 (2 ratings)
Make pomegranate this holiday season's flavor MVP. Plus, oven-roasting is one of the simplest methods for preparing a Thanksgiving turkey. This recipe from "The New Way to Cook Light" and adapted by Judy Hevrdejs appeared in the Chicago Tribune.
Prep Time
30
minutes
Cook Time
3.75
hours
Servings
12
Roasted turkey with pomegranate-thyme glaze
Total time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Ingredients
  • 12 to 14 pound turkey, thawed, giblets, neck removed
  • 4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 small bunch thyme sprigs, plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 large shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Season turkey cavity with 3 teaspoons salt and the pepper; fill with thyme sprigs and onion.
  3. Loosen skin from breast by pushing fingers gently between skin and meat.
  4. Combine 4 teaspoons chopped thyme and the garlic, mixing well.
  5. Rub mixture under loosened skin.
  6. Turn wing tips under; truss legs with kitchen string.
  7. Place turkey on rack in roasting pan.
  8. Roast turkey, about 2 1/2 hours; loosely cover with foil if skin browns too quickly.
  9. Meanwhile, prepare glaze.
  10. Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
  11. Add oil; swirl to coat.
  12. Add remaining 2 teaspoons chopped thyme, shallots and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; saute 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  13. Add pomegranate juice and sugar; heat to a boil.
  14. Reduce heat; simmer until syrupy and reduced to about 1 cup, 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  15. Set half of the glaze aside to serve with roasted bird.
  16. Use remaining glaze to lightly baste turkey several times during the last half hour of roasting.
  17. Continue roasting turkey until an oven-safe or instant-read thermometer inserted deep in the thigh reads 165 degrees, another 30-45 minutes.
  18. Remove turkey from oven; let rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
  19. Serve with reserved glaze.