A Stunning and Flavorful Tandoori Turkey
If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, then you know – we’re all about flavor here. Forget a boring, bland turkey – we’re using all the right spices to create a wonderfully fragrant and well-seasoned turkey. To me, the ease of making a recipe is equally important to flavor. Because if you can’t execute a dish, what’s the point, right? That’s why I’m sharing a turkey cooking method that is truly foolproof. There’s no messing around with oven temperatures, or opening oven doors. Forget about using a basting brush or making foil tents. You don’t need to fret about the turkey breast overcooking, because it won’t. Follow my directions and your turkey will turn out perfectly cooked. I first shared this method in my Masala Turkey post, which gets rave reviews. The recipes are essentially the same – I’ve just changed the spices to create a Tandoori-spiced bird.
Tandoori Turkey Ingredients
How to Make Tandoori Turkey:
Mix spices together and spread them all over the turkey – get the spices under the skin and all over the outside too. Truss the Turkey. Tie one piece of string around the wings to keep the wings close to the body and then tie another piece of string around the legs to keep them together. This helps with the presentation of the bird once it’s done. Cut a loaf of ciabatta bread in half (level if needed) and spread butter on both sides. Place the bread in a dry, clean roasting pan, then place the turkey on the buttered bread so that the turkey is breast-side down. The breast should be facing the bread. Get any spices remaining in the other pan, scoop them up, and place them on the bird. Roast the turkey – see the recipe card below for exactly how long. Once it’s done, remove the turkey from the oven and carefully, using clean oven mitts, turn the turkey over so that it is breast side up. This step can be messy, so make sure to protect your hands from the hot bird. Cut and remove the strings around the bird. Then put the bird back in and broil until the skin browns to your liking. Let it Rest. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 40 minutes before carving to allow time for the juices to redistribute within the meat. This way they won’t run out as soon as you slice into it. Decorate Platter & Carve Turkey. Put the turkey on a platter and arrange fresh bunches of cilantro and mint and lemon wedges.
Should I Use Yogurt in the Marinade?
No. I know that nearly all tandoori recipes call for yogurt, but if you’re looking for crispy skin then stick to using spices without the yogurt. Trust me, I’ve tried it both ways, and only using spices is the way to go.
How Long to Cook Turkey in the Oven
I suggest 15 minutes per pound of turkey. The turkey is done when it registers 165°F for the thighs and 160°F for the breasts. I highly recommend getting a digital probe thermometer (this is the one I have) that goes inside the oven – it’ll alert you when the turkey reaches the correct temperature. I also use a digital instant-read thermometer to take the temperature again, after taking the turkey out of the oven. Having a thermometer is really nice – it’s reassuring. I know you may only use it a few times a year, but it’s worth having, even if only to quiet the nerves that come with preparing a high-stakes holiday meal.
How Big of a Turkey Should I Buy?
When trying to decide how big of a turkey to buy, I think it depends on how many other items you plan to have on the table. To be sure there’s enough meat, you can go for 1 to 1.5 pounds per person. If you have 10 people coming to dinner, you can get a 10 to 15-pound turkey. If you have leftover turkey, you can always make my Festive Holiday Turkey Biryani!
Should I Stuff the Turkey?
No. Stuffing the bird can affect the cook time and can also prevent proper air circulation within the bird.
Can I Use the Drippings?
The bread in this recipe will absorb most of the drippings, so there won’t be much left to use. Also, the drippings here are going to be very salty, so I don’t think you’ll want to use them anyway.
A Tandoori Turkey Thanksgiving Menu:
Here are some ideas on what to serve with your Tandoori Turkey! I hope you and your family love this turkey – I can’t wait to hear what you think! Leave me a comment to let me know 🙂 Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!
