Gordon Ramsay Christmas Turkey with Gravy
Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas turkey with gravy is a classic holiday dish featuring a perfectly roasted turkey basted with herb butter, served with a luxurious gravy made from pan drippings and aromatic vegetables. The key lies in layering flavors — butter, lemon, garlic, and herbs — to ensure every bite is moist and bursting with flavor. It’s a signature dish that reflects Gordon’s approach to festive cooking: bold flavors, simple techniques, and an unforgettable finish.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 180
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), cleaned and patted dry
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 lemons (zested and halved)
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1 garlic bulb, halved horizontally
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Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage (a few sprigs each)
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Salt and black pepper (to taste)
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Olive oil (for drizzling)
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2 onions, roughly chopped
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2 carrots, roughly chopped
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2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
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2 cups chicken stock (for roasting and gravy)
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2 tbsp flour (for thickening gravy
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
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Prepare the herb butter by mixing softened butter with lemon zest, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Loosen the turkey skin gently using your fingers and spread the herb butter evenly under and over the skin.
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Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, garlic, and herb sprigs.
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Place chopped vegetables (onion, carrot, celery) in the roasting tray to form a bed.
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Set the turkey on top of the vegetables, drizzle with olive oil, and season generously.
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Roast at high heat for 20 minutes to brown the skin, then reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F).
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Baste every 30 minutes using the pan juices to keep the turkey moist.
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Cook until internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh.
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Remove from oven and rest covered loosely with foil for 30–45 minutes before carving.
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Prepare the gravy by straining the pan drippings, deglazing with wine (optional), adding flour, and whisking in chicken stock until smooth and thickened.