Why Not Wrap Your Entire Turkey in Bacon? [RECIPE]

Turkey day is almost here. For how much I like the traditional dinner and all the sides, it gets a little boring year after year after year. I always like to either figure out a way to tweak recipes slightly, or try new recipes all together. With smaller family meals being planned this year, due to the pandemic, more and more people are cooking turkey this year for the first time ever.

According to a survey on prnewswire.com

Small but mighty. Compared to a typical year, more than half of consumers will celebrate Thanksgiving with fewer people.
Home sweet home. Nearly two thirds (65%) of consumers will celebrate Thanksgiving in the comfort of their own home.
Rookie host with the most. More than 1 in 5 (22%) will be first time Thanksgiving hosts.
Sides are the stars. More than three quarters (77%) of consumers said mashed potatoes are one of their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.

For those looking to go above and beyond the call of duty, and REALLY impress guests this year, bring on the bacon. Bacon makes everything better. Bacon is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy. So why not wrap your entire turkey in bacon?

According to a recipe from wideopeneats.com, you can create your very own brined bacon turkey.

INGREDIENTS

1 11 pound turkey, giblets and neck removed
1 large red onion, cut into large wedges
1 bunch Thyme
1 bunch rosemary
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1 lb thick cut bacon

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°. Chop onion, then rinse your fresh turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff turkey's cavity with thyme, rosemary and onion, then tie legs together with twine and tuck in the wings.

Melt butter, and combine with seasonings in a medium bowl, stirring until mixed. Brush entire turkey with butter mixture.

Place turkey in a roasting pan, and then place strips of bacon on turkey. Weave slices of bacon together until fully covered.

Bake for 3 hours, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the turkey's thigh is 165°. Check bacon wrapped turkey after 2 hours and cover with foil if bacon is getting too dark.

Once finished cooking, let your turkey rest at room temperature until cooled enough to eat. Then carve away!

Get more tips and tricks on how to make the bird extra yummy on the Wide Open Eats website.

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Recipe