Bacon-Wrapped Turkey

Name: Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Yield: 18 servings
Ingredients: 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds); 1/4 cup butter, softened; 2 teaspoons dried thyme; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed; 1 teaspoon rubbed sage; 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1-1/2 pounds thick-sliced bacon strips (about 20-24 strips)

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Cook: 2 hours + standing

Yield 18 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

This crispy bacon-wrapped turkey will be the star of your next holiday meal. Because everything is better with bacon—including turkey!

Ingredients

1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds thick-sliced bacon strips (about 20-24 strips)

Directions

Preheat oven to 475°. Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. In a small bowl, combine butter, thyme, salt, rosemary, sage, poultry seasoning and pepper; spread over outside of turkey breast and legs. Add 2 cups water to pan.
Wrap turkey legs in a single layer of bacon strips, trimming to fit (about 6 slices total). Tie drumsticks together. On parchment or waxed paper, arrange 8 bacon strips side by side. Weave 8 slices bacon perpendicular to first 8 strips, making a lattice. Adjust lattice so it is tightly woven. Transfer lattice to turkey breast by flipping parchment over the turkey; carefully peel off parchment. Adjust lattice to cover turkey breast and trim edges of bacon to fit. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
Roast, uncovered, until bacon is lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 350°. Bake until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer. Cover loosely with foil if bacon browns too quickly.
Remove from oven. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

Nutrition Facts

7 ounces cooked turkey: 496 calories, 27g fat (9g saturated fat), 208mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 60g protein.

Everything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive take on the holiday favorite gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Recipe Creator