Christmas roast turkey with beer recipe

Roast Turkey with Beer: A Perfect Christmas Recipe

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious roast turkey? This festive recipe is perfect for a winter feast, ensuring a flavorful and juicy turkey that everyone will love. Let’s get cooking!

Choosing the Right Beer

Your choice of beer will depend on your personal taste and preferred flavor profile. However, at PerfectDraft, we recommend Diekirch Noël, a Christmas beer with notes of roasted malt, dried fruit, caramel, spices, grapes, and wood. Its subtle balance of bitterness and sweetness pairs beautifully with roast turkey, enhancing its rich flavors.

Of course, feel free to choose any Christmas beer that suits your taste.

Roast Turkey with Beer Recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 4 hours

Ingredients (Serves 6)

  • 1 large turkey (6 to 7 kg)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion
  • 1 teaspoon herbs of your choice (cumin, Herbes de Provence, or rosemary)
  • 50cl Christmas beer (e.g., Diekirch Noël or Leffe Winter)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 10ml honey
  • 120ml water
  • Salt and pepper

Preparation Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Brush the turkey with olive oil, add water to the bottom of the roasting dish, and place it in the oven for 30 minutes.

2. While the turkey is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, heat the beer and honey over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, then add the chopped garlic, chosen herbs, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture rest.

3. After the turkey has pre-cooked for 30 minutes, peel and slice the onion into strips. Add it around the turkey and continue roasting at 180°C for another 30 minutes. For extra flavor, you can also add vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, or celery. If using vegetables, adding butter will enhance their richness and create a creamy texture.

4. Pour half of the beer mixture over the turkey, ensuring it soaks into the skin. Continue roasting for 1½ hours at 180°C.

5. After 1½ hours, baste the turkey with the remaining beer mixture and roast for another 1½ hours, basting occasionally for maximum tenderness.

6. Once fully cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest before carving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your beautifully roasted turkey with vegetables, potatoes, or any festive side dish of your choice. Pair it with a beer that complements its flavors, or use this opportunity to try a new Christmas beer!

ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Discover other recipes : Recipe for pheasant in beer and Our Butterbeer Recipe !