I’m “Thankful” For A Bacon Weave!
There. I said it. A bacon weave makes me happy – and thankful too! Why am I telling you this now?
Because Jo, from the terrific Brookford Kitchen Diaries blog (link below!) has offered up this really fun cooking challenge for November: give “thanks” to something! So I did!
Here’s how Jo’s cookbook theme for November led me to weave bacon:
“Here in Australia we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but this month, let’s explore the concept of it. If you’re in the U.S or Canada, you might want to take this literally – or not, after all, it’s your choice. But if you live elsewhere, you might want to consider the cookbooks and recipes you turn to when you want to give thanks, or show love and gratitude to someone special.” Perhaps it’s a family favourite, perhaps it’s not. Maybe it’s a book that reminds you of someone you love. This theme could just test a few of us out and I can’t wait to see how you approach it.”
I love taking part in these cooking challenges, and as I am American, I do make a Turkey every Thanksgiving, a day when we take time to celebrate our friends and family and give “thanks” for the opportunity to live the life we lead….and I do it with bacon!
One year I made what has become my favorite Thanksgiving Turkey recipe – a “Maple Glazed Bacon Wrapped” Turkey!
The recipe is from Chef Tyler Florence, and it’s a terrific visual way to celebrate Thanksgiving!
YES – A “Maple Glazed Bacon Wrapped” Turkey!
When I discovered this recipe, my world changed – there are variations in a number of my cookbooks, so I won’t give a singular credit – but know it’s the most delicious Turkey I have ever had – thanks to this:
I found this great series of photos online, credited to “Hey Grill Hey!” It’s a great visual look at the process of making a bacon weave…I did one today to practice for the big day coming up:
Not exactly right, but practice makes perfect, so I will keep trying!
My “Maple Glazed Bacon Wrapped Turkey Recipe!
If you want to take this on, just be sure to buy your Turkey ahead of time so that it is completely thawed on Thanksgiving morning – or any day you want to make this feast to say “thanks!”
Your ingredients:
14-16 lb Turkey
1 pound butter
sage
Rosemary
Maple Syrup
1 pound bacon
salt and pepper
Get Your First Bird Ready To Go!
First, take your thawed Turkey…we used a 14-pounder, which worked well….clean it out – I set aside the gizzard and neck for gravy stock of course!
Pat your Turkey dry, salt and pepper the inside and then slather – and I mean SLATHER – the whole bird in butter…
I used 3/4 of the butter, which I let soften at room temperature and added chopped rosemary and sage as well…
You can use a variety of fresh herbs like Rosemary and Sage, and as it is chopped up and integrated into the butter it will permeate the bird I rub it on…and you can stuff some butter underneath the skin as well…and then you want to grab your best friend in the world…BACON!
Show The Bacon Love!
You can do a braid or just layer the bacon across the turkey, but here is the weave I made last year:
When you put the bacon weave on the turkey, the bacon will stick nicely to the butter, so it’s easy to maneuver around the drumsticks and wings, and looks great when you are finished!
Time To Glaze Your Bird!
Next, brush that deliciously sweet maple syrup over the bacon, painting it nicely for a great flavor and color! Use as much as you want but know the taste will be worth an extra layer!
Here’s a look at how I glazed the bird – spoiler alert – you get get messy:
For me, Turkeys are incredibly easy to make. You can always find great recipes and cooking guidelines online and in a wide variety of cookbooks and magazines, but I cooked my 14-pounder for 3-1/2 hours at 325 degrees.
I let the bird rest for 20-30 minutes, then carved it up and served it!
As you can see Alex and the rest of the table had no problem diving into the feast!
And if you want some amazing stuffing for your Turkey, try this uniquely delicious recipe:
White Castle Stuffing!
This is no joke – White Castle burgers make a great stuffing! Listen, it tastes great, is easy to make and is a funny thing to talk about as well!
Check out this truly unique and delicious stuffing recipe that I made by clicking here!
Another great side dish to make is a variation on mashed potatoes – make a roasted “potato cake” instead!
This classic preparation is from Chez L’Ami Louis in Paris and it’s also a showstopper!
See the recipe for both here:
For those of you who missed it, I also shared this delicious Turkey day idea
Yes, It’s Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Candy Corn!
I ate it so you don’t have to – but it was surprising in many ways – click here to see my taste test:
Bravo to Jo and her Brookford Kitchen Diaries for putting on this great recipe sharing idea – see her website here and take part!
If you enjoy these posts, PLEASE CLICK “LIKE” BELOW SO I KNOW!
All shouting aside, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like to share…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this recipe – and if you like the story please share on social media – thanks!
Categories: Bacon, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Books / Media, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Fine Dining, Food, Food Writing, Recipes, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
Wow! I never heard of bacon wrapped turkey. Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
The maple glaze really sends it over the top…but it doesnt’ overwhelm the Turkey in any way, just a nice hint of flavor…thanks for the comment, always great to hear from you!
We do a turkey buffe (I guess it’s probably a turkey crown) for Christmas and I usually drape it in bacon, but now I need to ask myself, why drape it in bacon when you could wow with a bacon weave? I’m there for the potato cake too…
The best part of the potato cake, aside from how delicious it is, is the dramatic “flip” as you plate it – have your friends around to watch – very impressive. I really enjoy taking part in your monthly cooking challenges – thanks for doing all the heavy lifting!
No problem at all… it’s fun.
That is a LOT of bacon! You did a great job!
Thankyou for the comment!
And the glaze!
Am laughing at Alex’ smile and her plate – that IS a lot of delicious food! I also love Brookford Kitchen Diaries . . . learning SO much every time one of Jo’s posts lands in my box. Thank you so much for combining all the ideas 🙂 ! f
I love the bacon weave, can’t wait to try it and the potato cake – though I think I would flip the cake while no-one was looking, else I’d probably make a mess of it.
Like many, I’m so happy to have found Jo and her BKD Cookbook Club.
I understand ont he flip – I’ve done it 5 times now and every time is a new adventure to be sure! It really presents well, and the caramelization of the potatoes on the bottom really look great when flipped on top! Thanks for your comment!
That looks amazing!!!! The potato cake would be a winner too, at least for me….the turkey dinner candy corn…I’ll pass…haha.
Kirstin: I ate those candy corn so you wouldn’t have to! The potato cake is delicious and really presents well at the table too! Thanks so much for the comment!
this sounds fantastic John. In the days when hubby and i ate bacon (and had turkey for christmas) i would do this too. We tend to eat very little meat these days, and definitely no piggy. Even tho it is super delicious of course 🙂
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
It’s a “once in a year” thing for sure…we are mostly fish eaters!
I really want some of that roasted potato cake!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
It’s not hard to make and it really does present well…it’s all about the “flip!” Thanks for the comment!