I usually saute the giblets in with the onions and celery and mix it all in the stuffing...I do stuff my bird with regular crouton stuffing and then I also make stove top cuz we always run out otherwise.... but I buy the chicken not the turkey stuffing!
I make my gravey with the flour and water thickening and I am the opposite of Ruth ...its because with cornstarch...I somehow manage to get lumpy gravy! LOL I use a Tupperware gravy shaker for the mixture and never have lumps! I always get compliments on my gravy...so don't have an issue with that...just the browning!
I'm going to try to make a basting mixture this year...using some ideas here..the soy sauce maybe with melted butter seasoned too....and I think I will try baking it for the first 30 min in the oven... told my hubby about that idea and he said we should give it a try....
We have one of those big deep fryers but have never done a deep fried turkey for thanksgiving....only chickens. I know that would be browned! LOL