Flavorful Turkey

240 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Grab healthy amounts of kosher salt and hit every single crevice of the 12-pound turkey, including the cavity and under the wings.
  2. 2Place the turkey onto a sheet tray with a rack and into the fridge overnight for a dry brine.
  3. 3In a food processor, drop in sage, thyme, and rosemary.
  4. 4Give the herbs a quick pulse.
  5. 5Drop in a few sticks of butter, a quick drizzle of honey, a scoop of hot pepper paste.
  6. 6Season with black pepper, chili powder, paprika, and onion powder.
  7. 7Add the zest of an orange and a lemon.
  8. 8Blend all ingredients together to make the compound butter.
  9. 9Pull out your turkey and allow it to come to temperature.
  10. 10Gently slide your hand in to separate the meat from the skin.
  11. 11Start grabbing your butter and slide it under the skin.
  12. 12Smother the entire bird with the compound butter under the skin.
  13. 13Set your oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  14. 14Cook the turkey roughly 15 to 20 minutes per pound of bird until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
  15. 15Alternatively, toss the turkey into a smoker at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients

  • 12 pound turkey
  • kosher salt
  • 0.25 cup fresh sage leaves
  • 2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 sticks softened butter
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 0.25 cup hot pepper paste
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
  • 2 Tbsp orange zest (from about 1 orange)

Equipment

food processorsheet trayrackovensmoker

Tips

  • Use a dry brine for the turkey overnight.
  • Gently slide your hand under the skin to separate the meat from the skin before applying butter.
  • The internal temperature of the breast should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit.