Festive Mayflower Turkey Arrangement (Printable)

Turkey and root vegetables roasted to golden perfection, topped with rich brown gravy and garnished with parsley and pecans.

# Ingredient list:

→ Turkey

01 - 3.3 lbs boneless turkey breast, skin on
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp dried thyme
04 - 1 tsp dried sage
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Roasted Root Vegetables

07 - 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
10 - 1 large celery root (celeriac), peeled and cubed
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp ground cumin
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Gravy

15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
16 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
17 - 2 cups chicken or turkey stock
18 - 1 tbsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
19 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

20 - 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
21 - ½ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Rub turkey breast evenly with olive oil, dried thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Place the turkey in a roasting pan and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cover with foil and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
04 - Combine carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and celery root with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
05 - Spread the seasoned vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
06 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in cornstarch until smooth. Gradually pour in stock, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Stir in soy sauce and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
07 - Arrange sliced turkey and roasted root vegetables on a large platter in overlapping, chain-like patterns to symbolize connected links. Drizzle with gravy and garnish with chopped parsley and pecans if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms your Thanksgiving table into a visual storytelling moment that guests won't forget, with that stunning chain-like presentation that sparks conversation
  • The combination of smoky, caramelized root vegetables with tender turkey creates layers of flavor that feel both elegant and deeply comforting
  • You can prepare it almost entirely ahead of time, letting you actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
02 -
  • Resting the turkey isn't optional—it's the difference between meat that's juicy and tender versus meat that's dry and disappointing. Those 15 minutes might feel long, but they're worth every second.
  • Uniform vegetable sizing matters more than you'd think. Smaller pieces will burn while bigger pieces are still raw if you're not careful. Aim for consistent 1-inch pieces across all vegetables.
  • Your gravy will thicken more as it cools, so if it seems slightly loose at the end of cooking, that's actually perfect. You want it to flow gracefully across the platter, not sit in a lump.
03 -
  • Save your turkey pan drippings and mix them into the gravy for extra depth of flavor—that's where the real magic lives
  • Toast your pecans yourself in a dry skillet just before serving; it takes three minutes but completely transforms their flavor from flat to vibrant
  • If your skin isn't as crispy as you'd like, blast it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes right before serving—just watch it closely so it doesn't burn
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