Epicurious
Sage is to turkey what cinnamon is to apples; they go together like bread and butter. The seasoned butter on this bird is a bright and herbal mix of chopped sage leaves and fresh orange and lemon zest, which bathes the breast with the essence of the Thanksgiving aroma. For the all-important gravy, we offer two homemade options for stock, as well as store-bought chicken broth. We can't rave enough about the gravy made from the brown turkey stock. Trust us when we say it produces the most soul-satisfying sauce, and because it's not dependent on the giblets from your turkey, it can be made weeks ahead and frozen. If you're hosting a smaller group for Thanksgiving this year, such as a group of four, or perhaps even just the two of you, we suggest forgoing the whole bird for a [turkey breast](/recipes/food/views/51137810) with the same prep. _**Editor's Note:**_ This recipe is part of our _Gourmet_ Modern Menu for Thanksgiving for 2 or 20\. Menu also includes: [Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad;](/recipes/food/views/51138000) [Mashed Potato and Cauliflower Gratin;](/recipes/food/views/51138010) [Cabernet-Cranberry Sauce with Figs;](/recipes/food/views/51138020) [Challah, Sausage, and Dried Cherry Stuffing;](/recipes/food/views/51138030) and for dessert, [Apple Crostata with Spiced Caramel Sauce](/recipes/food/views/51138040) .