Pre-heat the oven to 190°C / 170°C Fan / 375°F/ Gas Mark 5.

To make the sausage meat stuffing: Melt the butter in a small pan over a medium heat, add the chopped onions and celery, and cook until softened but not brown.

Turn into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients, mix well cover and chill until required.

To make the sage and onion stuffing: Melt the butter in a small pan over a medium heat, add the chopped onion and cook until softened but not brown.

To stuff the turkey: Lay the boned turkey crown skin side down and season the inside of the meat with some salt and pepper. See Cook’s Note 1.

In the centre place a line of the sausage meat and cranberry stuffing.

Then place a line of the sage and onion stuffing on top.

Wrap the meat around to enclose the stuffing and roll on to its side.

Secure firmly in several places along the turkey with kitchen string.

Turn the stuffed turkey the right way up and rub the skin with the softened butter.

Lay the bacon rashers across the top.

Weigh your turkey and calculate the estimated cooking time. See Cook’s Note 2.

Place the turkey into the roaster and cook, basting with the pan juices occasionally.

Check the turkey is done by using a meat thermometer. Probe the thickest part of the bird to the centre. The temperature should reach 74°C /165°F or above. Continue to cook until this temperature has been reached.

Remove the turkey onto a warmed carving plate cover with some foil and rest for 30 minutes.

To make the gravy: Remove any excess oil from the roaster and discard.

Stir the flour into the pan juices and add the warm stock.

Once rested, remove the bacon and string from the turkey.

Carve into thick slices and serve with the gravy.

Cook's Notes

A turkey crown is a turkey with its legs and wings removed leaving only the breast bones remaining. If you are not confident to remove the breast bone ask your butcher to do this for you.

If preparing the turkey in advance for the next day, chill the stuffing for at least one hour before using. Once the bird has been stuffed cover with some foil and chill immediately.

Turkey Notes

Stuffed turkeys weighing between 2.5kg – 4.5kg (5½ - 9½ lb) are suitable for the 35cm Roaster.

How many will my stuffed turkey serve?

Stuffed weights:

3kg (6½ lb) Serves 6-8

3½ kg (7½ lb) Serves 8-10

4kg (8½ lb) and over Serves 10+

How much stuffing do I need?

The recipe is based on a 2½- 2¾ kg (4½ - 6lb) boned turkey crown with a stuffed weight of approximate 3½ kg (7½ lb) serving 8-10. For a smaller bird reduce the stuffing quantity by one quarter and for a larger bird increase the stuffing quantity by one quarter.

How long do I cook my turkey?

Weigh your prepared stuffed turkey and use the calculation below as a guide; A general rule is 20 minutes per kg (2.2lb) in weight + 70minutes if under 4kg (8½ lb)Or 20 minutes per kg (2.2lb) in weight + 90minutes if 4kg (8½ lb) and over