Herb-Infused Turkey with Savory Bread Stuffing

1. Prepare the Turkey

Loosen the skin without tearing it, then rub 3 tablespoons of kosher salt inside the cavity and under the skin. Wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours, and up to 48 hours.

2. Dry the Bread Cubes

Preheat your oven to 250°F. Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake them for about 45 minutes until they are dry and crisp.

3. Prepare the Vegetable Mixture

In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced celery, and cook until they are softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced thyme, marjoram, and sage, cooking for an additional minute to release their flavors.

4. Combine Bread Cubes and Vegetable Mixture

Combine the vegetable mixture with the dried bread cubes and 1 cup of chicken broth, mixing well to ensure the bread is evenly moistened.

5. Prepare the Turkey for Roasting

Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. Poke several small holes in the skin to allow the fat to render and crisp up during roasting. Tuck the wings under the bird to prevent them from burning.

6. Season the Turkey Skin

Mix 2 teaspoons of kosher salt with 2 teaspoons of baking powder, then rub this mixture all over the turkey skin.

7. Stuff the Turkey

Line the turkey cavity with the folded cheesecloth and pack in about 4-5 cups of the stuffing. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to keep the stuffing secure.

8. Roast the Turkey Breast-Side Down

Place the turkey breast-side down on a V-rack set inside a roasting pan. Drape the slices of salt pork over the back of the turkey to keep it moist during the initial roast. Roast the turkey breast-side down at 325°F for 2 to 2½ hours, or until the breast registers 130°F.

9. Crisp the Skin

Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Remove the salt pork and carefully flip the turkey breast-side up. Return the turkey to the oven and roast until the skin is crisp and golden brown.

10. Combine Stuffing

After the turkey is done, remove the stuffing bag from the cavity and combine it with any remaining stuffing. Serve your herb-infused turkey with the savory bread stuffing.