Planning your holiday meal, but don’t know where to start?
Holiday meals are a BIG DEAL!
Make sure your guests get happy and full by using these tips.
Table of Contents
Tips for Planning Your Holiday Meal
Get in Prep Mode
If you’re going to make an awesome holiday meal, get in prep mode now!
Get excited, make a list, and start executing your plan for making an awesome holiday meal for your family.
The better attitude you have, the better your meal is going to turn out!
Clear your Schedule
When you are the host for the holiday meal, you need a few days to prep.
I love to prep a few days beforehand to relieve the stress.
It’s no fun being stressed out whenever you are planning a holiday meal.
Also, practice a few stress relieving techniques to help you stay stress free.
Get Creative with Your Meal
The best thing you can do is make stuff you want at your table.
Don’t worry about what everyone is making.
What are some meals you enjoy having at your table each year? Make those dishes and enjoy them.
Something that my family loves having around are table is a GlazedRoast Turkey with all the trimmings.
There is not anything that can rip away this tradition from our holiday meal.
Making a Canadian Turkey a part of your holiday meal is easier than ever.
I always have leftovers and I can make awesome leftover meals.
Turkey is an excellent choice for the holidays that are quickly approaching.
What are some tips you have for making your holiday meal awesome?
Please share your tips! You know I’m always up for a good meal.
Glazed Roast Turkey with Apricot and Pecan Stuffing
Turkey Ingredients:
1 whole turkey, 12-14 lbs.
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup white wine
1 cup turkey broth
Rub Ingredients:
2 tbsp salt
1 ½ tbsp white pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp ground Italian seasoning
1 tbsp ground sweet paprika
Apple Butter Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup apple butter
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup apple juice
1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp pepper
1 tsp salt
4 branches fresh thyme
2 cloves finely minced garlic
Stuffing Ingredients:
3 cups crusty bread such as sourdough or Italian, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup roughly chopped dried apricots
½ cup rolled oats
¾ cup turkey broth
1 medium onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried thyme
Prepare Stuffing:
- Spread the bread cubes out on a baking tray and place in your oven overnight to dry out.
- Place in a large bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and celery and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the turkey broth over bread to moisten.
- Add the onion and celery mixture.
- Add the oats, apricots and dried herbs.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and proceed to stuff your bird.
Prepare Glaze:
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer for 20 – 30 minutes until glaze is thick and syrupy.
- Remove fresh thyme stems and discard.
- If you are using a chunkier style of apple butter and you want a smoother glaze, use a hand blender to blend the glaze until smooth.
- Glaze can be made up to 1 week in advance.
Prepare Turkey:
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and the giblets and neck have been removed.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Pat the bird dry with paper towels.
- Rub the turkey with olive oil, inside and out.
- Combine all spices to make a rub. Sprinkle generously onto the bird, inside and out.
- Stuff the turkey, loosely, with the stuffing mixture.
- Place the bird into your roasting pan. Add wine and turkey broth.
- Roast the turkey for 4 – 4 ½ hours, until the juices run clear and an instant thermometer reads 170°F in the breast, 180°F in the thigh and the stuffing reaches 165°F.
- Generously apply glaze directly onto the turkey, twice, every 15 minutes in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Return the turkey to the oven and then re-apply in the last five minutes of cooking.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
NOTE: Cooking times are for planning purposes only – always use a digital meat thermometer to determine doneness.
Looking for some additional glaze inspiration? Here are a few other variations:
Cranberry Rosemary Port Glaze
1 cup cranberry jelly
½ cup ruby Port
½ cup orange juice
1 sprig rosemary
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
Bring to a low simmer and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes or until glaze is reduced to a thick syrup-like consistency.
Can be made up to 1 week ahead.
To use on your roast turkey, generously apply glaze directly onto the turkey in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Return the turkey to the oven and then re-apply in the last five minutes of cooking.
Rest and carve according to your turkey recipe directions.
Spicy Maple Bourbon Glaze
1 ¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup bourbon
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp tobasco or hot sauce
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
Bring to a simmer for 20 – 30 minutes until glaze is thick and syrupy.
Can be made up to 1 week ahead.
To use on your roast turkey, generously apply glaze directly onto the turkey in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Re-apply in the last five minutes of cooking. Rest and carve according to your turkey recipe directions.
TIP:
You can change the flavor profile of your glazes by adding a variety of spices.
Try adding a combination of one or more of the following: cloves, nutmeg, star anise, cinnamon or five-spice blend to any of these glazes to add a hint of holiday spice and change things up.
Our readers also enjoyed these recipes with “Printables”Sweet Maple Green Beans, Honey Glazed Oven Roasted Carrots,Low Carb No Bean Chili Recipe,Easy Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder SoupandEasy Homemade Miso Soup.
