Cranberry Chipotle Turkey
Infused with bold, smoky flavors and a tangy-sweet glaze, this Cranberry Chipotle Turkey recipe is a showstopper for your holiday table. This 12-pound turkey is slathered in a rich spiced butter made with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, and fragrant seasonings like oregano and cumin, ensuring moist, flavor-packed meat. The pièce de résistance is the homemade cranberry chipotle glaze—a luscious blend of fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and a hint of heat from chipotle—that caramelizes beautifully on the turkey as it roasts to golden perfection. With a prep time of just 30 minutes and easy basting steps, this recipe is designed to impress without stress. Serve it with extra glaze on the side for a festive main dish that’s equal parts savory, smoky, and sweet—perfect for Thanksgiving or any special gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pounds whole turkey
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 pieces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1.5 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pieces fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 pieces fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.
Rinse the turkey under cold water, pat it dry with paper towels, and place it on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
In a blender or food processor, combine the butter, chipotle peppers with a small amount of their adobo sauce, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth to create a spiced butter mixture.
Carefully loosen the turkey skin over the breast and drumsticks by sliding your fingers beneath it. Spread half of the spiced butter mixture under the skin and the remaining half over the top of the turkey.
Tuck the rosemary and thyme sprigs into the cavity of the turkey along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips under the bird to prevent them from burning.
Roast the turkey uncovered in the preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes with the chicken broth to keep it moist.
Meanwhile, prepare the cranberry chipotle glaze by combining the cranberries, orange juice, honey, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Blend the cranberry mixture with 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce until smooth. Set aside half of the glaze for serving.
During the last 45 minutes of roasting, brush the turkey generously with the cranberry chipotle glaze every 15 minutes to build up a flavorful coating.
The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C). The skin should be golden-brown and crisp from the glaze.
Remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
Serve the carved turkey with the reserved cranberry chipotle glaze on the side and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
9328 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 318.6 g | 408% | |
| Saturated Fat | 115.2 g | 576% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 4058 mg | 1353% | |
| Sodium | 14878 mg | 647% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 224.8 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.6 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 172.4 g | ||
| Protein | 1318.6 g | 2637% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 864 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 68.5 mg | 381% | |
| Potassium | 14484 mg | 308% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
