Turkey with Cherry & Bacon Stuffing

Ingredients

• 8 bacon strips, diced
• 1-1/2 cups chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 7 ounces unseasoned stuffing cubes
• 1-3/4 cups chicken broth
• 1-1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Cherry De-Lite dried cherries
• 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
• Melted butter

Directions

• In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender.
• In a large bowl, combine the stuffing cubes, broth, sage, thyme, pepper and salt. Stir in the bacon, celery mixture and cherries.
• Just before baking, loosely stuff the turkey. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush with butter.
• Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 180° for the turkey and 165° for the stuffing, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.
• Cover turkey and let stand for 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving turkey. If desired, thicken pan drippings for gravy.