Healthy Baked Stuffed Turkey for Christmas
Healthy Baked Stuffed Turkey for Christmas
Christmas is a time to enjoy food in the company of friends and family, and what better way to do it than with a main dish that is not only delicious but also nutritious. In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare a baked stuffed turkey that will be the star of your Christmas dinner.
Ingredients:
For the turkey:
– 1 whole turkey (approximately 12-14 pounds)
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the stuffing:
– 2 cups of whole wheat bread, cut into small cubes
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 celery stalks, chopped
– 2 carrots, chopped
– 2 apples, peeled and chopped
– 1 cup of chopped walnuts
– 1/2 cup of raisins
– 2 teaspoons of dried sage
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
– 1/2 cup of low-sodium chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons of melted butter
Instructions:
Preparing the stuffing:
1. Start by preparing the stuffing. In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and sauté until they become tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the dry ingredients: Add the chopped walnuts, raisins, dried sage, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the ingredients become fragrant.
3. Mix with whole wheat bread: Remove the skillet from heat and add the whole wheat bread cubes to the vegetable and nut mixture. Mix everything together to ensure that the bread is evenly coated with the broth and other ingredients.
4. Add chicken broth: Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over the bread and vegetable mixture. Stir well to make sure all the bread is well soaked with the broth. This will help keep the stuffing moist and tasty.
Stuffing the turkey:
5. Now, it’s time to prepare the turkey. Wash the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the turkey inside and out with salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the turkey with the whole wheat bread stuffing mixture. Do not overstuff it, as the stuffing will expand as it cooks.
6. Tie the turkey: Close the turkey’s cavity with toothpicks or kitchen twine to ensure that the stuffing stays in place during cooking. You can also tie the turkey’s legs together with kitchen twine to give it a more uniform shape.
Preheat the oven:
7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Brush with butter:
8. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and brush it with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. This will help the skin turn golden brown and crispy during baking.
Baking the turkey:
9. Put the turkey in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Be sure to baste the turkey with its juices every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
Rest before serving:
10. Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to become tender and juicy.
This dish is rich in fiber thanks to the whole wheat bread and filled with holiday flavors from the herbs and apples. Additionally, by baking it instead of frying, you are reducing the amount of fat in the preparation.
Serve your stuffed turkey with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. Enjoy a healthy and flavorful Christmas!
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