Description
This Chipotle Citrus Thanksgiving Turkey recipe offers a juicy, tender, and flavorful turkey infused with smoky chipotle peppers and bright citrus notes. Perfectly roasted to golden perfection, it’s an impressive centerpiece for your holiday feast that combines traditional herbs with a vibrant twist of orange and lime zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Stock
- 1 14-pound fresh or frozen whole turkey, thawed
- 2 cups turkey stock
Compound Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened and cut into 6 pieces
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients
- 1 orange, zest and juice divided
- 1 onion, halved
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 orange, quartered
- Kitchen twine
Equipment
- Large roasting pan
- Meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Turkey: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove the turkey from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed if previously frozen.
- Prepare the Compound Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with chopped chipotle peppers, chopped fresh rosemary leaves, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano, orange zest, lime zest, minced garlic, and half of the orange juice. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Apply the Butter Mixture: Gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast without tearing it. Spread a generous amount of the chipotle citrus butter under the skin evenly over the breast and legs. Rub the remaining butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey.
- Stuff the Turkey: Stuff the turkey cavity with the halved onion, quartered orange, and the sprig of fresh rosemary. This will infuse the turkey with aromatic flavors as it roasts.
- Truss the Turkey: Use kitchen twine to tie the legs of the turkey together and secure the wings close to the body to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare for Roasting: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan. Pour the 2 cups of turkey stock into the bottom of the pan to keep the bird moist during roasting.
- Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast for about 2 hours and 55 minutes (approximately 175 minutes), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
- Baste Periodically: Every 45 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices to keep the skin moist and flavorful. If the skin begins to brown too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
- Rest the Turkey: Once the turkey reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender bird.
- Carve and Serve: Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite sides. Use the pan juices or make a gravy to accompany the meat for extra flavor.
Notes
- This Chipotle Citrus Thanksgiving Turkey is juicy, tender, and roasted to golden perfection for the best holiday feast.
- Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before beginning to ensure even cooking.
- Resting the turkey after roasting is crucial for juicy meat.
- You can adjust the amount of chipotle peppers depending on your preferred spice level.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid under or overcooking the turkey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 ounces
- Calories: 255 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
