Remove giblets and neck from turkey. Rinse and pat dry. Place turkey in a heavy duty plastic bag, add 2 cups apple cider. Marinate in fridge overnight, turn occasionally.

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Remove turkey, keep marinate. Place turkey breast side up in a roasting pan. Pour marinate over turkey. Sprinkle with 1 1/4 t pepper and 3/4 t salt (I just sprinkle some, don't really measure it) sprinkle on skin of turkey, under the skin and in the cavity. Place thyme and apple pieces inside of cavity. Tuck wing tips up and back and under turkey. Cover loose w/ foil. Bake @ 450 for 10 min. Reduce temp to 325, bake 45 min. Add 1 3/4 cup chicken broth and onions to pan. Return immediately and bake an hour or until meat thermometer reads 180°F. After its done I let it sit about 20-25 min or until I'm finished with the gravy. Discard the sprigs and apple pieces.

Remove onions with a slotted spoon. Keep warm. At this point I place a large zip-loc bag in a glass 2cup measuring cup and add the drippings and juice from the roasting pan. Add other 1/2 cup cider to roasting pan, cook over med high heat about 2 min, make sure to scrap all the lil bits on bottom of roasting pan. Add to turkey drippings in bag, let sit about 10 min (the fat will rise to the top.) Seal bag and carefully snip off corner of the bag just a little bit. Drain into a bowl but make sure not to get any fat in there.

Cook bacon in a separate pan an cook til crispy. Add flour, whisk and cook for 1 min. Slowly add remaining broth and cider mixture. Whisk it up!! Stir in a1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over med heat til thick. Stir frequently. Stir in onions and thyme. Serve this goodness over your turkey and tators, or just whatever you darn well please!! Do enjoy!