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Soy- and Butter-Basted Turkey

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Jul 31, 2019
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If you’re among the many people who say their favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the sides, we might suggest that the turkeys you’ve had haven’t quite lived up to their potential? With this recipe, the bird isn’t just the visual centerpiece of the feast, it’s also the flavorful star of the show. The secret to this truly delicious bird lies in a few techniques such as dry-brining—the lowest-effort way to ensure big flavor and tender texture—and in basting on an umami-rich butter-and-soy sauce mixture that also gives you the makings for an absolutely luscious gravy. So use this recipe well and give your turkey the treatment it deserves—we think you’ll be converted.

Soy- and Butter-Basted Turkey

  • Prep Time 60 min
  • Total 39 hr 0 min
  • Servings 12
  • Ingredients 10
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Ingredients

Turkey

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground pepper
  • 1 whole turkey, not prebasted (11 to 13 lb), thawed if frozen
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

Gravy

  • 1/4 cup turkey drippings (fat and juices from roasted turkey)
  • 1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups Progresso™ unsalted chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In small bowl, mix brown sugar, salt and pepper. Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan. If ovenproof plastic leg band is present, remove. Discard giblets and neck or reserve for another use. Using paper towels, pat dry skin and interior cavity. Rub turkey inside and out with sugar mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 24 hours. Stand up turkey to pour out any collected liquid in cavity. Pour off liquid collected in pan; return to refrigerator uncovered 12 to 24 hours longer.
  • Step 
    2
    Heat oven to 325°F. Pat skin and interior cavity dry with paper towels. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching.
  • Step 
    3
    Place turkey, back side down, on rack in roasting pan. In small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce. Brush entire breast side of turkey with half of the butter mixture. Turn turkey over. Brush entire back side of turkey with remaining butter mixture. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
  • Step 
    4
    Roast uncovered, breast side down, 1 1/2 hours. In small bowl, mix remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Brush back side of turkey with half of the butter mixture. Using tongs and oven mitt, carefully turn turkey over. Brush turkey breast with remaining butter mixture. Roast 1 to 2 hours longer. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. When turkey is done, place on warm platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.
  • Step 
    5
    While turkey rests, pour drippings from roasting pan into bowl, leaving brown particles in pan. Return 1/4 cup drippings to roasting pan; discard remaining drippings. Stir in flour and pepper. Cook over medium heat 1 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Cook 1 minute longer, then stir in broth. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Season gravy as desired. Serve carved turkey with the gravy.

Nutrition

490 Calories
25g Total Fat
60g Protein
5g Total Carbohydrate
3g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: About 6 oz Turkey and 3 Tablespoons Gravy
Calories
490
Calories from Fat
230
Total Fat
25g
39%
Saturated Fat
9g
46%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
205mg
68%
Sodium
970mg
41%
Potassium
550mg
16%
Total Carbohydrate
5g
2%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
3g
Protein
60g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
6%
6%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 8 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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