BABISH

recipes

community

livestream

cookware

cookbook

contact

JOIN

TURKEY: 5-WAYS

cook:

1 h 20 min

Picture for TURKEY: 5-WAYS

1,602,256 views  For your next holiday celebration, try your luck at any of these 5 turkey methods. All will result in a flavorful and juicy bird that will surely impress any skeptical relatives.

US

original

metric

INGREDIENTS

For the Turkey

For the Turkey

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

unsalted butter, divided + soft

16 oz unsalted butter, divided + soft

herbs of choice (sage, thyme, rosemary, ect.), chopped

¼ cup herbs of choice (sage, thyme, rosemary, ect.), chopped

+ 1/2 Cup kosher salt

1 tsp + 1/2 Cup kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

baking powder

1 tsp baking powder

concentrated turkey stock

1 cup concentrated turkey stock

If needed,  large yellow onions, roughly chopped

2 If needed, large yellow onions, roughly chopped

If needed,  large carrots, roughly chopped

3 If needed, large carrots, roughly chopped

If needed,  celery ribs, roughly chopped

4.5 If needed, celery ribs, roughly chopped

If needed,  ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

1 cup If needed, ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

For the Turkey Rub

For the Turkey Rub

ghee, melted

½ cup ghee, melted

kosher salt

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

dried sage

1 tsp dried sage

dried rosemary

1 tsp dried rosemary

dried thyme

1 tsp dried thyme

dried oregano

¾ tsp dried oregano

black pepper

½ tsp black pepper

onion powder

½ tsp onion powder

paprika

1 tsp paprika

brown sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1.

For the Turkey Rub (Adapted from Amazing Ribs)

1.

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

ghee, melted

½ cup ghee, melted

kosher salt

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

dried sage

1 tsp dried sage

dried rosemary

1 tsp dried rosemary

dried thyme

1 tsp dried thyme

dried oregano

¾ tsp dried oregano

black pepper

½ tsp black pepper

onion powder

½ tsp onion powder

paprika

1 tsp paprika

brown sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

2.

Use immediately or keep warm until ready to use.

3.

For the Turkey Prep

1.

Thoroughly pat the turkey dry with a paper towel. If spatchcocking/butterflying the turkey, do so now (see Spatchcock Turkey Method below).

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

2.

Using your fingers, gently separate the skin from the meat, making sure to get all the way up the breasts and into the thighs.

3.

Combine the butter, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

unsalted butter, divided + soft

8 oz unsalted butter, divided + soft

herbs of choice (sage, thyme, rosemary, ect.), chopped

¼ cup herbs of choice (sage, thyme, rosemary, ect.), chopped

+ 1/2 Cup kosher salt

1 tsp + 1/2 Cup kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4.

Carefully spread the compound butter underneath the skin. Spread any excess butter overtop the entire bird.

5.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup salt and baking powder.

+ 1/2 Cup kosher salt

+ 1/2 Cup kosher salt

baking powder

1 tsp baking powder

6.

Generously season the exterior of the turkey with the dry brine mixture.

7.

Melt the remaining butter and combine it with the turkey stock. Transfer the mixture to a meat injector.

unsalted butter, divided + soft

8 oz unsalted butter, divided + soft

concentrated turkey stock

1 cup concentrated turkey stock

8.

Inject the turkey breasts and thighs with the butter/stock mixture.

9.

Transfer the bird to a grill rack placed in a rimmed baking sheet. Place the turkey, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.

10.

For the Traditional Roasted Turkey

1.

Prep the turkey as desired (see Turkey Prep). Make sure to truss the legs with butcher’s twine and tuck the wings underneath the front of the turkey.

2.

Preheat the oven to 325°F and move the rack to the lowest slot.

3.

Line the bottom of a roasting pan with aluminum foil. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the roasting rack over the vegetables, then transfer the turkey to the rack.

If needed,  large yellow onions, roughly chopped

2 If needed, large yellow onions, roughly chopped

If needed,  large carrots, roughly chopped

3 If needed, large carrots, roughly chopped

If needed,  celery ribs, roughly chopped

4.5 If needed, celery ribs, roughly chopped

4.

Cover the turkey with a layer of aluminum foil, shiner side facing out to reflect heat.

5.

Roast the turkey for about 2 hours, or until the thickest part of the breast reaches 150 °F.

6.

Remove the aluminum foil and increase the oven temperature to 450 °F (preferably with convection). Optionally, brush the bird with melted fat (ghee, duck, or chicken).

If needed,  ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

1 cup If needed, ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

7.

Continue roasting until the internal temperature of breast meat reaches 155 - 160 °F and the thigh meat reaches 175 °F, about 15-30 minutes.

8.

Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving. Make sure to reserve the pan drippings for gravy.

9.

For the Oven Bag Turkey

1.

Prep the turkey as desired (see Turkey Prep). Truss the legs with butcher’s twine and tuck the wings underneath the front of the turkey.

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

2.

Preheat the oven to 325 °F and move the rack to the lowest slot.

3.

Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil.

4.

Place the turkey into an oven-safe roasting bag and secure the open end with some butcher’s twine. Cut 6-8 slits in the oven bag to release excess steam.

5.

Roast the turkey for about 2 hours, or until the thickest part of the breast reaches 150 °F.

6.

Remove the turkey from the bag and transfer it to a roasting rack. Make sure to drain the drippings and reserve them for gravy.

7.

Place the turkey and rack into the roasting pan and increase the oven temperature to 450 °F (preferably with convection). Optionally, brush the bird with melted fat (ghee, duck, or chicken).

If needed,  ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

1 cup If needed, ghee/duck fat/chicken fat

8.

Continue roasting until the internal temperature of breast meat reaches 155 - 160 °F and the thigh meat reaches 175 °F, about 15-30 minutes.

9.

Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving.

10.

For the Spatchcocked Turkey

1.

To spatchcock the turkey, cut two lines down the back of the turkey on either side of the spine. Once the spine is removed, flip the bird over and press down firmly on the breasts to break the breast bone.

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

2.

Prep the bird as desired (see Turkey Prep Method).

3.

Preheat the oven to 450°F (preferably with convection).

4.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the bottom of the pan. Place a grill rack over top of the vegetables and transfer the turkey to the rack.

If needed,  large yellow onions, roughly chopped

2 If needed, large yellow onions, roughly chopped

If needed,  large carrots, roughly chopped

3 If needed, large carrots, roughly chopped

If needed,  celery ribs, roughly chopped

4.5 If needed, celery ribs, roughly chopped

5.

Roast the turkey for 40-45 minutes or until browned and crispy and the internal temperature of the breast meat reaches 155 - 160°F and the thigh meat reaches 175 °F.

6.

Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes before carving. Make sure to reserve the pan drippings for gravy.

7.

For the Smoked Turkey

1.

Prep the turkey as desired (see Turkey Prep).

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

2.

Preheat the smoker to 325 °F.

3.

Brush the bird with the Turkey Rub (see Turkey Rub).

4.

Transfer the bird directly into the smoker and cook for 1.5 hours or until the thickest part of the breast reaches 150 °F.

5.

Increase the smoker temperature to 450 °F and continue cooking until the internal temperature of breast meat reaches 155 - 160 °F and the thigh meat reaches 175 °F, about 15-30 minutes.

6.

Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving.

7.

For the Deep-Fried Turkey

1.

Prep the turkey as desired (see Turkey Prep). Make sure not to spread the butter on the exterior of the bird, this will result in uneven browning during the frying process.

(10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

1 (10~12 lb) turkey, thawed + neck/giblets removed

2.

Place the turkey onto the frying hook. Lower the bird into a large frying pot. Fill the pot with cold oil until it just covered the bird. Remove the bird from the oil and reserve in a large bowl.

3.

Place the oil-filled pot over the heating unit outside and at least 10 feet away from any buildings or furniture.

4.

Preheat the oil to 350 °F.

5.

Turn off the heating unit entirely. While wearing eye protection and heat-proof gloves, carefully and slowly lower the turkey, using the frying hook, into the preheated oil.

6.

Once the bubbling has slowed down and the turkey is safely in the fry oil, turn the heating unit back on.

7.

Fry the bird for about 35-45 minutes (about 3.5 minutes per lb), or until the internal temperature of breast meat reaches 155 - 160 °F and the thigh meat reaches 175 °F.

8.

Once the turkey is fully cooked, turn off the heating unit. Once again, wearing while wearing eye protection and heat-proof gloves, slowly remove the turkey from the hot oil. Transfer the cooked turkey to a sheet tray or large bowl.

9.

Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving.

Unlock this recipe

Babish

Welcome to the...

Babish Culinary Universe

Get instant access to hundreds of written recipes, connect with a community eager to share their cooking triumphs and mishaps, and find inspiration for your next meal.

Try it out for a month free, then just $1/month

JOIN
Babish Logo

powered by

© 2023 Binge Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved.