Cajun-Injected Spicy Turkey

Emeril Lagasse

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2007

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Thanksgiving

Picture of Cajun-Injected Spicy Turkey Recipe Photo: Cajun-Injected Spicy Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 30 Reviews
Total Time:
2 hr 45 min
Prep
15 min
Cook
2 hr 30 min
Yield:
10 to 12 servings
Level:
Intermediate
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon concentrated liquid crab and shrimp boil (recommended: Zatarian's)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup Creole seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup finely minced garlic
  • 1 (10 to 12-pound) turkey, rinsed well inside and out, patted dry
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 cups chicken broth, as needed for bottom of roasting pan

Directions

Make the marinade by combining the Worcestershire sauce, crab boil, apple cider, honey, beer, salt, allspice, Creole seasoning, cayenne, olive oil, and minced garlic in a blender and process until very smooth, about 5 minutes. Fill a large syringe* and inject turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs, with at least 2/3 of the marinade. You will have to fill the syringe numerous times.

Preheat the oven to 420 degrees F and line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil.

Season the injected turkey well both inside and out with the kosher salt and black pepper. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan lined with aluminum foil and pour the remaining marinade all over the turkey. Bake the turkey uncovered for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, add 1 cup of the chicken broth to the roasting pan, and continue to bake the turkey until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deepest part between the thigh and the leg registers 165 degrees F. (If the turkey begins to brown too much, tent loosely with aluminum foil until it is done. Also, add more broth as necessary to keep the bottom of the roasting pan from burning.)

When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and set aside to rest at least 20 minutes before carving.

* Large syringes designed especially for injecting turkeys may be purchased at many grocery stores in the spice / marinade / seasoning sections; many folks inject turkeys before frying them.

Print Recipe

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be signed in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 30 reviews

  • on December 24, 2011

    Flag

    I have used this recipe 4 times now, and every time everyone is in complete heaven. It is loved so much that I am in charge of the turkey for a friend's holiday party. My boyfriend thinks it makes the turkey taste like andouli sausage! I inject it the night before though, so it really has a chance to absorb all of the juices; it's fantastic!

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on November 20, 2011

    Flag

    LOVE! I'm known in the family for not knowing how to cook. But I must say I received major raves on this turkey dish for the last 2 years running. I've been nominated to prepare the turkey again.

    Perfect holiday bird....

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on November 14, 2011

    Flag

    Great tasting Turkey..My husband loved it.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Spicy Fried Turkey Legs

Spicy Fried Turkey Legs

By: Emeril Lagasse
Rated 4 stars out of 5
Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google