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Rosemary Apricot Turkey

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary.

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

Thanksgiving, my favorite food holiday. Not just because it’s socially acceptable for food to take center stage, but because food brings families and friends together like nothing else can.  

Thanksgiving conjures other things too: football, Black Friday shopping, time with family, or just a day off from work. But the one thing it does bring to mind for everyone is FOOD!

I have many memories that are wrapped up in family recipes because food was the center of our holiday celebrations. And Thanksgiving is the opening buzzer for the holiday gantlet that runs into the New Year.  (Unless of course you count the candy kick-off known as Halloween.)

Thanksgiving is the Super Bowl of food holidays.

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

And for anyone who has the pleasure (or misfortune) of spending it with me, I always deliver intoxicating aromas luring my guests to the kitchen begging for an early nibble. Sometimes I allow a snack, other times…DENIED!

This Rosemary Apricot Turkey is no exception. Aromatically enticing.

This post is sponsored by Camp Chef.  As part of my on-going relationship with them, I received a Turkey Cannon Infusion Roaster to review, however all thoughts and opinions, glowing, gushing, or otherwise are 100% my own.

Rosemary Apricot Turkey

Camp Chef’s Turkey Cannon infuses the bird with apricot nectar, onions, and fresh rosemary while roasting it both inside and out, yielding the moistest bird ever.  

I started with a hot oven and skin so buttered up any 1980’s sunbathing teen would be impressed. Lathering the skin with butter and popping it into a hot oven allowed Herm to crisp right up.

Oh did I forget to mention this year’s bird was named Herm?

After the first 30 minutes, I lowered the temp down and allowed the 14 pounder to roast just like a beer can chicken. 

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

What is Beer Can Chicken?

Beer can chicken is a whole chicken that is resting on an opened full can of beer and cooked on a grill or in an oven.  

Perching the bird on a container of liquid introduces moisture and heat which prevents it from drying out and cooks faster.

This method has grown in popularity because of its simplicity and almost full proof way of producing a moist and thoroughly and quickly cooked bird. Ginger ale and cola are also popular canned beverages used in this method of cooking. 

A problem facing Thanksgiving cooks everywhere is the amount of time it takes to sufficiently cook a large turkey all while needing your oven to create all those scrumptious side dishes simultaneously.  

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

The Turkey Cannon helps to minimize that problem because it reduces the total cook time preventing the ultimate Thanksgiving nightmare…a dried-out bird.

The cannon of the Turkey Cannon is filled with liquid, in this case the apricot nectar, which keeps the meat from drying out and infusing it with flavor. I added rosemary and onion as a complementary savory profile to the sweetness of the apricot.

This Rosemary Apricot Turkey will produce a picturesque centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner table, but good luck with keeping all the fingers off of it while you get your perfect Instagram shot.

Easy Holiday Side Dishes

Easy Holiday Appetizers

Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda
Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

Rosemary Apricot Turkey

Course: Holiday
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Rosemary Apricot Turkey
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 389.2 kcal
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary.

Print

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey 12-18 lbs max; thawed, giblets removed
  • ½ cup salted butter melted
  • 1 tsp pepper divided; to taste
  • 1 tsp salt divided; to taste
  • cups apricot nectar
  • 6 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • cup onions thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F (see notes for regular roasting directions)

  2. Remove turkey from packaging; remove giblets.

  3. Wash and/or pat turkey dry, set aside.

  4. Place cannon in a roasting pan or baking sheet to catch the drippings.

  5. Melt the butter; set aside.

  6. Add ¼ tsp salt and pepper to the apricot nectar; stir well.

  7. Pour all but ¼ cup of the liquid into the cannon funnel.

  8. Add 3 sprigs of rosemary and the half of the onions into the cannon funnel.

  9. Place turkey onto cannon, tucking the wings underneath the bird.

  10. Pull skin up around the breast and in the leg area, season with salt and pepper (about ¼ tsp of each) then brush with the melted butter; replace the skin.

  11. Stuff neck opening with the remaining onions and rosemary, then pour the remaining liquid into the neck.

  12. Sprinkle the remaining ½ tsp of the salt and pepper to the outside of the bird. 

  13. Using a basting brush, generously coat the outside of the bird with butter. 

  14. Place in a preheated 425°F oven; cook for 30 minutes.

  15. Reduce heat to 350°F.

  16. Cook for 40 minutes. 

  17. Check internal temperature. Remove the turkey when an instant read thermometer registers 160°F. 

  18. Allow the turkey to rest for 10 minutes (it will reach 165°F while resting).

  19. Remove the turkey from the cannon and place on a cutting board, discard the liquid. 

  20. Carve, serve, and enjoy. 

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Roasting without the turkey cannon:

Follow all the prep steps above, except when decreasing the oven temp after the first 30 minutes, decrease oven to 325°F.

Use the nectar, herbs, and onions as part of the roasting sauce. Stuff some onions and rosemary in the crevices (is not stuffing the bird) and pour some nectar through. Allow the rest of the liquid to rest at the bottom. 

These juices can be used to make the gravy.

Cook UNSTUFFED: 13-15 MINUTES per pound: check internal temperature.

Cook STUFFED: 15-18 MINUTES per pound; check internal temperature

Nutrition Facts
Rosemary Apricot Turkey
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389.2 Calories from Fat 178
% Daily Value*
Fat 19.82g30%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 174.89mg58%
Sodium 502.79mg22%
Potassium 516.6mg15%
Carbohydrates 4.79g2%
Fiber 0.26g1%
Sugar 4.53g5%
Protein 46.69g93%
Vitamin A 769.47IU15%
Vitamin C 0.31mg0%
Calcium 28.08mg3%
Iron 1.98mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Rosemary Apricot Turkey ~ A delicious and aromatic turkey with butter-crisped skin flavored with decadent apricot nectar and rosemary ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

Thank you for sharing!

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17 Comments

  • Reply
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    November 16, 2018 at 6:40 am

    […] Rosemary Apricot Turkey […]

  • Reply
    Betty
    November 16, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    That turkey looks so good Michelle wish you were coming to my house. Happy Thanksgiving.

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockinglydelish
    November 16, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    Look at that amazing color on that turkey! I am thinking the apricot is a perfect addition!!

  • Reply
    Catalina
    November 18, 2018 at 12:34 am

    5 stars
    This turkey couldn’t look any more perfect! The addition od apricot makes it irresistible!

  • Reply
    Katerina @ diethood .com
    November 18, 2018 at 5:22 am

    5 stars
    That turkey looks absolutely amazing!! I am loving the apricot, its perfect!!

  • Reply
    Chrissie Baker
    November 18, 2018 at 5:52 am

    5 stars
    Mmm is a good idea for the holiday. This recipe is perfect for me and my family. Is good food and this looks like one of the BEST!!

  • Reply
    Brandy O'Neill
    November 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    This turkey sounds so flavorful! Perfect for Thanksgiving!

  • Reply
    Dee
    November 18, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    I’m seeing so many turkey recipes for the Thanksgiving season, and I’ve gotta say this is one of the best! So flavorful and looks really good!

  • Reply
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