Spicy Roast Turkey

Mercy's Note:

This is a moist and flavorful bird with a crispy, spicy skin. I developed this particular recipe myself. I just don't like a soggy-skinned bird and the spices really kick it up. The roasting technique is my adaptation of Alton Brown's Good Eats turkey. The photograph that I included is actually a deboned bird that made for Thanksgiving 2003. The turkey (especially the leftovers) loses much of the gamy flavor if it has been deboned prior to roasting and it is so much easier to slice!

• Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 -1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (14 lb) turkey

Directions:

1. Mix the spices into the mayonnaise until thoroughly blended.
2. Tuck back the wings and slather the spicy paste all over the turkey, massaging it into the bird.
3. (Rub inside the bird, outside the bird and make sure to spread it under the breast skin).
4. Roast on lowest rack of the oven at 500°F for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the turkey from the oven and cover the breast with a double layer of heavy duty aluminum foil folded into a triangle (leaving the legs and dark meat uncovered), insert a thermometer into thickest part of the breast and return it to oven.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
7. Roast until the turkey temperature reaches 161°F (14 to 16 pound bird only needs a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting).
8. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest, loosely covered for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Reviews

[iamladydee]

Followed the recipe almost as is - added 1 teaspoon of cayenne instead of the half because I got the extra kick. I received many compliments on the flavor. I also used an apple juice brine recipe (google it) for the juicy texture. Brining is KEY to any sucessful turkey. I will most definetly use this recipe again! It's too easy!

[Shelby Jo]

This was my first time roasting a turkey, and it turned out great! The hardest part was waiting for it to get done! I really liked the spice mixture...not too hot but you could definitely tell there was some zip to it. The meat was so juicy and moist. Thanks so much for posting!!

[Chef #1496920]

Turned out a very nice flavor without being too spicy (hot) for any one at the table. For more zip could increase the cayenne slightly. Had a wonderful crispiness. Instead of mayo, I used olive oil, and instead of covering the breast with foil, I turned the turkey breast down after the first 30 minutes. Next time I may brine it, or keep the temp down to 160 (as per recipe) instead of 175 for moister breastmeat.