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thanksgiving turkey

Herb Roasted Turkey

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A side shot of a golden turkey getting based in roaster.

Herb Roasted Turkey.

No, it is not Thanksgiving or Christmas… this is the meal that my dear sweet mother requested for Mother’s Day!

I asked her what meal she considered to be a special treat and she responded, “a roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes.” Growing up, her family only had turkey at Christmas, and she wished that she could have had it for her May 15th birthday as well. Since mashed potatoes are her favourite food (year-round), they were a must have.

To lighten the meal up from a traditional holiday turkey dinner, we skipped the dressing/stuffing, avoided the cranberry sauce, and freshened up the flavour with five herbs including cilantro.

Sides of roasted carrots, potatoes, brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes plus homemade gravy, brioche dinner rolls and a chilled rosé, rounded out the meal.

A beautifully golden herb roasted turkey in a large roasting pan, colourful roasted veggies in another pan and pot of gravy.

Watch the process video here

A turkey getting ready to go into the roaster.
Roasted Turkey in a roaster, in the oven.
A golden roasted turkey in a roasting pan in the oven.
A finished turkey in the roasted resting on the oven.

Some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes – appetizers, sides & dessert.

Tried this recipe?

If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.

Cheers! James and Elaine

A side shot of a golden turkey getting based in roaster.

Herb Roasted Turkey

To lighten the meal up from a traditional holiday turkey dinner, we skipped the dressing/stuffing, avoided the cranberry sauce, and freshened up the flavour with five herbs including cilantro. Sides of spring asparagus with lemon, roasted carrots, spring mix salad, brioche dinner rolls and a chilled rosé, rounded out the meal. Which my mother gobbled down while smiling from ear to ear!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine North American
Servings 8 People

Ingredients
  

Turkey:

  • 1 13-pound whole fresh young turkey, neck & giblets removed and reserved
  • ½ stick unsalted butter slightly softened
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or flat leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2-3 large carrots cut in half lengthwise
  • 2-3 large stalks celery
  • 3 cups no salt added chicken stock

Turkey neck stock for gravy:

  • 1 Turkey neck
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 carrot cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 celery stalk cut into 2 -inch pieces
  • 1 small onion roughly chopped
  • 6 cups of no salt added chicken stock
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 3 to 4 sprigs of thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tablespoon black peppercorns
  • salt

Gravy:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 4-5 cups warm turkey neck stock
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

For the turkey:

  • Pat the turkey dry inside and out. Season it liberally with salt. Place on a rack over a sheet pan and place in the fridge uncovered for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting.
  • Combine the butter, olive oil, cilantro, sage, rosemary, thyme, and chives in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with pepper.
  • Preheat the oven to 430°F convection roast (or 450°F no convection).
  • Put the 3 cups of the chicken stock in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
  • Using a wooden spoon or your fingers, gently loosen the skin from the breast of the turkey (careful not to rip the skin). Rub the breast meat (under the skin) with the herb butter mixture (approximately 1.5 tablespoons/breast). Then use the remaining herb butter to rub the entire exterior of the turkey.
  • Place the carrots & celery on the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the turkey on top of the vegetables, and place in the preheated oven. Roast until lightly golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to 335°F convection roast (or 350°F no convection). Continue roasting, basting with the warm chicken stock every 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165°F, about 1½ to 2 hours additional.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest 30 minutes before slicing.
  • Note: If you are making the garlic mashed potatoes, put the garlic in the oven the same time as the turkey.

For the turkey neck stock:

  • While the turkey cooks, add the olive oil to medium saucepan and heat over medium high heat. Add the turkey neck and brown both sides (2 to 3 minutes/side). Add the carrots, celery, onions, season with salt, cover and let steam for 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape the turkey neck bits off the bottom of the pan, add the stocks to the pan bring to a boil. Add the rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and peppercorn, lower the heat and let simmer uncovered, over low heat for 60 minutes. Strain and keep the stock warm while you make the gravy. Yields 4 to 5 cups of strained stock.

For the gravy:

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the warm turkey neck stock, one cup at a time, stirring frequently for 30 to 60 seconds between cups, until the all the warm stock has been added. Cook until thickened and smooth, about 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Keep warm until ready to serve.

Video

Keyword Christmas dinner, comfort food, herb roasted, Mother’s Day, roasted turkey, spring turkey, Thanksgiving Turkey
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Looking for different ways to cook turkey?

Here are a few other recipes:

  • Herb Roasted Turkey. We love turkey all year round! To lighten the meal up from a traditional holiday turkey dinner, we skipped the dressing/stuffing, avoided the cranberry sauce, and freshened up the flavour with five herbs including cilantro.
  • Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce. A turkey breast (or two) is the perfect way to prepare a traditional turkey dinner for a smaller holiday gathering… but once you try this moist, tender, flavour packed turkey with subtle notes of smokiness, paired with the bold, bright, refreshing flavours of the ginger-jalapeno-cranberry sauce, you will not be waiting for a special occasion to make it again!
  • Dry-Brined & Grilled Turkey Dry brining and grilling a turkey produce amazing flavour, crispy skin, and juicy meat. Not only does grilling a turkey taste amazing, but it also frees up space in the oven during the holidays!
  • Moist and Juicy Roasted Turkey (and Gravy) Truth be told, I’m not always as planned and thoughtful as required, to get an early jump on brining the bird. My shortcut recipe is to dry rub the bird and put it in the fridge uncovered (on a rack, over a sheet pan) for about an hour. From the fridge, it goes straight into the convection oven at 390°F for 20 minutes to really dry the skin.
  • Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Perfect when made ahead and reheated for a quick weeknight meal or incredible when prepared following a day full of winter adventures… and nothing beats the smell of a pie baking in the oven.

Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce

by Leave a Comment

A top down image of two cooked turkey breasts on a skillet with herbs and cranberries. Broccolini, carrots, gravy, buns, cranberry sauce, wine glasses and florals surround this skillet.

Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce

A turkey breast (or two) is the perfect way to prepare a traditional turkey dinner for a smaller holiday gathering… but once you try this moist, tender, flavour packed turkey with subtle notes of smokiness, paired with the bold, bright, refreshing flavours of the ginger-jalapeno-cranberry sauce, you will not be waiting for a special occasion to make it again!

Wood-fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce Ingredients layed out beside the Ooni Karu 16
Rubbing the turkey breast with butter under the skin.
Charring jalapeños directly on the coals
Ginger and cranberries are added into the pot.

This preparation is perfect for a Sunday dinner with leftovers for weekday lunches OR the ultimate “gameday” sandwiches when the gang gathers to cheer on the home team!

A beautiful golden turkey breast coming out a flaming Ooni oven.

While the turkey rests, I suggest charring carrots & broccolini in the turkey drippings on the grizzler plate, completely optional, but why waste a hot oven and the turkey drippings?

Roasted carrots on the Ooni grizzler pan in a flaming hot Ooni wood oven.
Roasted broccolini on the Ooni grizzler pan in a flaming hot Ooni wood oven.
A top down image of two cooked turkey breasts on a skillet with herbs and cranberries. Broccolini, carrots, gravy, buns, cranberry sauce, wine glasses and florals surround this skillet.
Roasting broccolini in my Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven on a beautiful evening.

Disclosure: I have participated in a paid partnership with Ooni. Opinions in this post are my own.

For this Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce recipe, I used the Ooni Dual Sided Grizzler Plate, and my Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven. Proud Onni Ambassador.

Some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes – appetizers, sides & dessert.

Tried this recipe?

If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.

Cheers! James and Elaine

A top down image of two cooked turkey breasts on a skillet with herbs and cranberries. Broccolini, carrots, gravy, buns, cranberry sauce, wine glasses and florals surround this skillet.

Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce

A turkey breast (or 2) is the perfect way to prepare a traditional turkey dinner for a smaller holiday gathering… but once you try this moist, tender, flavour packed turkey with subtle notes of smokiness, paired with the bold, bright, refreshing flavours of the ginger-jalapeno-cranberry sauce, you will not be waiting for a special occasion to make it again! This preparation is perfect for a Sunday dinner with leftovers for weekday lunches OR the ultimate “gameday” sandwiches when the gang gathers to cheer on the home team!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 -6 People

Ingredients
  

  • 2 split turkey breasts bone in, skin on, approximately 1 lb 12 oz for each breast (3 ½ pounds total)
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Cranberry Sauce

  • 2 large jalapeños charred, seeds removed, and finely diced
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoons sage finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 12-ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries (3 cups)

Butter Mixture

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage.
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Serving Suggestions

  • Charred carrots and broccolini
  • Soft dinner rolls
  • Warm gravy homemade or your favourite store bought

Instructions
 

  • Remove turkey breasts from packaging, pat dry with a paper towel, season with salt and pepper, place breasts skin side up on a rack over a sheet pan and refrigerate uncovered while you make the cranberry sauce and butter mixture.
  • Preheat the Ooni Karu 16 oven to 450°F (I use a combination of lump charcoal & hardwood to maintain the heat and add layers of flavour).
  • While the charcoal heats up, place the jalapeños directly on the burning wood/charcoal and char the jalapeños completely. Remove jalapeños, place in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a plate. Let steam for about 5 minutes. Using a paper towel wipe off charred skin, slice in half, remove seeds and finely dice.
  • To prepare the cranberry sauce add the water, sugar, jalapeños, white balsamic vinegar, salt, and sage in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to combine. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved, reduce heat to low and simmer 2 minutes.
  • Add ginger and cranberries, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to medium and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries have softened.
  • Spoon sauce into a bowl(s), cover and cool at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time. Makes 2 cups
  • Place butter, sage, rosemary, 1 teaspoon each salt & pepper in a small bowl, stir to blend.
  • Using your fingers, gently separate turkey skin from flesh. Pour 1/3 of butter mixture underneath the skin of each breast and massage in the butter. Pour half the remaining mixture over the skin of each breast and gently rub it all over. Set aside at room temperature.
  • When the oven has reached 450°F, place the Ooni Dual-Sided Grizzler Plate in the oven, ridge side up, and heat for 5 minutes.
  • Open the rear fuel hatch and the glass door and let the oven cool down to about 425°F. Place the turkey breasts on the grizzler plate, as close to the front of the pan as possible and insert into the oven. Close the glass door but leave the fuel hatch open. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, rotating each breast front to back once.
  • When the temperature drops to around 350°F, close the fuel hatch and cook until the internal temperature reaches 158-160°F. Approximately 50 – 60 minutes longer.
  • Add fuel as required to maintain a temperature near 350°F. If the oven gets too hot, open the fuel hatch and glass door to control temperature.
  • If the skin is browning too much cover with foil.
  • When internal temperature is reached, remove breasts to a platter or tray, cover with foil and place a towel over the foil. Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise to 165°F, while the breasts rest.)
  • While the turkey rests, I suggest charring carrots & broccolini in the turkey drippings on the grizzler plate (completely optional, but why waste a hot oven and the turkey drippings?)
  • Add fuel to begin bringing the oven back up to 425°F. Place thin carrots (or sliced carrots) on grizzler pan, season with salt, pepper, plus a splash of olive oil, and cook for 15 minutes, until lightly charred and slightly softened (note, the carrots will still have a bit of a bite, they are charred, not roasted). Remove carrots to a plate and cover tightly with foil to keep warm. Add the broccolini (cutting any thick pieces in to thinner strips) to the grizzler plate, season with salt, pepper, plus a splash of olive oil and place if the oven. Add another piece of wood and char the broccolini for 5 minutes turning once. Remove broccolini to a plate and cover tightly with foil to keep warm while you carve the turkey.
  • Serve sliced turkey breast with ginger-jalapeño-cranberry sauce and enjoy!
Keyword Cranberry Sauce recipe, Ooni oven recipe, Ooni recipe, ooni recipes not pizza, ooni skillet recipes, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Turkey, Turkey recipe, Wood-fired Turkey
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Looking for different ways to cook turkey?

Here are a few other recipes:

  • Herb Roasted Turkey. We love turkey all year round! To lighten the meal up from a traditional holiday turkey dinner, we skipped the dressing/stuffing, avoided the cranberry sauce, and freshened up the flavour with five herbs including cilantro.
  • Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce. A turkey breast (or two) is the perfect way to prepare a traditional turkey dinner for a smaller holiday gathering… but once you try this moist, tender, flavour packed turkey with subtle notes of smokiness, paired with the bold, bright, refreshing flavours of the ginger-jalapeno-cranberry sauce, you will not be waiting for a special occasion to make it again!
  • Dry-Brined & Grilled Turkey Dry brining and grilling a turkey produce amazing flavour, crispy skin, and juicy meat. Not only does grilling a turkey taste amazing, but it also frees up space in the oven during the holidays!
  • Moist and Juicy Roasted Turkey (and Gravy) Truth be told, I’m not always as planned and thoughtful as required, to get an early jump on brining the bird. My shortcut recipe is to dry rub the bird and put it in the fridge uncovered (on a rack, over a sheet pan) for about an hour. From the fridge, it goes straight into the convection oven at 390°F for 20 minutes to really dry the skin.
  • Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Perfect when made ahead and reheated for a quick weeknight meal or incredible when prepared following a day full of winter adventures… and nothing beats the smell of a pie baking in the oven.