Lemon Pepper Roast Turkey with Bacon Gravy

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 3 hours

YIELD: 14 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (12-pound) turkey
• 3 lemons, plus extra for garnish
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup diced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large stalk celery, diced
• 4 small sprigs fresh thyme
• 10 strips bacon, diced
• ½ cup ghee or unsalted butter
• ⅛ teaspoon guar gum (a natural thickener), or 1 ounce cream cheese (2 tablespoons) for serving (optional)
• Mashed Fauxtatoes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey.
3. Grate the zest of the lemons into a small bowl. Add the pepper and salt. Using paper towels, pat the turkey dry. Season the turkey cavity with a bit of the zest mixture, then rub the rest all over the outside of the turkey. Cut the lemons in half. Place 1 lemon inside the cavity along with the onions, garlic, celery, and thyme sprigs.
4. Tie the turkey legs together using kitchen twine or a small string. Place the turkey on a rack set inside a large roasting pan. Tuck the wings under the body to prevent burning.
5. Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, keeping the drippings in the skillet.
6. Add the ghee to the skillet with the drippings and stir until melted, then pour into a bowl and stir in the juice of the remaining 2 lemons. Rub this mixture all over the turkey. Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the drippings. Continue to roast for a total of about 3 hours, basting every half hour, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165°F. Remove the turkey to a serving tray to rest for at least 25 minutes before carving.
7. Meanwhile, pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk in the guar gum or cream cheese until well combined and no clumps are present. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the gravy is thick. Then add the reserved bacon for an amazing gravy. Serve with extra lemon halves or quarters.
8. Store extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for 5 minutes or until warmed through.