Roasted Turkey with Moroccan Chermoula - Thanksgiving Recipe - CookingWithAlia - Episode 220

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is more budget-friendly.

whole turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken

Chicken is a more affordable option for those on a budget.

Quarter the preserved lemon, remove the pulp, and chop the pulp.

In a bowl, mix the pulp with softened butter until well incorporated.

Add ginger, turmeric, saffron, salt, and black pepper to the butter mixture and continue mixing.

Add olive oil and garlic to the butter mixture and continue mixing.

Add chopped cilantro, parsley, and mint to the butter mixture and continue mixing.

Add lemon juice to the butter mixture and continue mixing.

Place the turkey in a large baking pan.

Create a pocket between the skin and the meat of the turkey using your fingers.

Stuff the pocket with the butter mixture, focusing on the breast area.

Massage the turkey skin to distribute the butter mixture.

Rub the leftover butter mixture all over the turkey.

Shape a piece of foil into a triangle to cover the turkey breast later.

Melt butter with bay leaves and let it sit for 1 minute.

Brush the turkey with the butter bay leaves mixture and pour the rest in the pan around the turkey.

Stuff the turkey with a bouquet of cilantro, mint, rosemary branches, onion, and lemon quarters.

Tie the turkey legs with kitchen thread and tuck in the wings underneath.

Season the turkey with salt and black pepper.

Let the turkey rest on the counter for 1 hour (optional).

Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) while the turkey is resting.

Insert a kitchen thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast.

Once the oven is preheated, insert the turkey into the oven, legs first, uncovered, and roast for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, cover the turkey breast with foil, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C), and continue roasting for about 2:30 hours until the thermometer reads 161°F (72°C).

10 minutes before the turkey is done, remove the foil to achieve a nice color.

Let the turkey rest on the counter for 30 minutes before carving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens