Description
A flavorful twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes with Cajun spices. This recipe delivers a juicy, tender turkey with a spicy kick that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey (12-14 lbs), thawed
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Rub the Cajun seasoning all over the turkey, inside and out. Lift the skin gently and rub some seasoning directly on the meat.
- In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic in the melted butter until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Place the seasoned turkey in a roasting pan. Pour the sautéed vegetable mixture over the turkey.
- Add the chicken broth to the roasting pan. Sprinkle thyme and paprika over the turkey.
- Roast for 3-4 hours, basting every hour with the pan juices.
- Check for doneness with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. The skin should be golden brown and crispy.
- Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- Use the pan drippings to make gravy.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference.
- Basting every hour keeps the turkey moist.
- Leftover pan drippings can be used to make a flavorful gravy.
- If the skin browns too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with foil. Remove foil for the last 30 minutes to crisp the skin.
- For extra flavor, add chopped Andouille sausage with the vegetables, stuff the cavity with citrus wedges, or mix fresh herbs into the butter rub.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz turkey
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
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