Fantastic Spicy and Super Juicy Turkey
Get ready to impress your guests with this **Fantastic Spicy and Super Juicy Turkey**, a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for any festive gathering! This 12-pound bird is infused with bold flavors, thanks to a luscious spiced butter blend made with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring every bite is packed with a zesty kick. Aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage, paired with fresh lemon and garlic, bring an irresistible depth of flavor to the turkey's succulent interior. Roasted to golden perfection with the help of olive oil and chicken broth for moisture, this recipe delivers a crispy, flavorful skin and delightfully tender meat. Ready in under 3.5 hours and yielding enough to serve eight, this juicy and spice-kissed turkey is sure to be the star of your holiday table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pounds whole turkey
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1.5 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 whole lemon
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 6 leaves fresh sage
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
If the turkey has been refrigerated, allow it to sit at room temperature for 1 hour before prepping.
Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity, rinse the turkey with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the butter, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Mix well until it forms a smooth spiced butter paste.
Gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast by sliding your hands underneath, being careful not to tear it. Spread half of the butter mixture directly onto the meat under the skin and the remainder all over the outside of the turkey.
Drizzle the olive oil over the turkey, rubbing it evenly to help with browning during roasting.
Slice the lemon in half and stuff it into the turkey cavity along with the thyme, rosemary, sage, and the head of garlic (cut in half crosswise).
Tie the legs of the turkey together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking.
Place the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan and pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to keep the bird moist while cooking.
Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.
Roast the turkey for approximately 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F (74°C). For a 12-pound turkey, this will take around 2.5 to 3 hours.
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the foil to allow the skin to turn golden and crisp.
Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and tent it with foil. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving, allowing the juices to redistribute.
Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and garnish with extra herbs if desired. Serve and enjoy your Fantastic Spicy and Super Juicy Turkey!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
10432 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 611.0 g | 783% | |
| Saturated Fat | 243.0 g | 1215% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 4016 mg | 1339% | |
| Sodium | 12610 mg | 548% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.1 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.0 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.9 g | ||
| Protein | 1109.4 g | 2219% | |
| Vitamin D | 22.4 mcg | 112% | |
| Calcium | 1616 mg | 124% | |
| Iron | 63.2 mg | 351% | |
| Potassium | 14054 mg | 299% | |
*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.
