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Spatchcock Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Recipe

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This Spatchcock Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey recipe features a tender, juicy turkey flattened for even roasting and topped with a tangy-sweet glaze made from fresh orange juice, cranberry juice, honey, and warm spices. Roasted over a bed of aromatic vegetables and finished with a rich, smooth gravy, this festive dish promises a succulent centerpiece perfect for special occasions or holiday dinners.

Ingredients

For the Glazed Turkey:

  • 1 (12 pound) turkey
  • 6 large carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
  • 4 stalks celery, cut in half
  • 1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice, plus 2 teaspoons extra
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Small pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1 cup chicken or turkey stock
  • 1 orange, sliced

For the Gravy:

  • Onions and garlic from roasting pan
  • Pan drippings (after fat skimmed)
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon chicken stock

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s ready for roasting the turkey evenly.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: Arrange the carrots, celery, onion, and whole garlic cloves in the bottom of a high-sided roasting pan to serve as a flavorful bed for the turkey.
  3. Spatchcock the Turkey: Remove the backbone of the turkey and lay it flat, bone-side down, over the prepared vegetables. This technique helps the bird cook more evenly and faster.
  4. Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine fresh orange juice, cranberry juice, soy sauce, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, ground black pepper, and honey. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and simmer until slightly thickened.
  5. Thicken the Glaze: Mix 2 teaspoons of cranberry juice with the corn starch until smooth, then whisk this mixture into the simmering glaze. Continue to simmer until thickened. Remove half of the glaze into a separate bowl for basting after cooking.
  6. Glaze the Turkey: Brush the remaining half of the warm glaze all over the skin of the raw turkey. Place orange slices on top of the turkey for extra flavor and aroma.
  7. Add Stock to Pan: Pour the chicken or turkey stock into the roasting pan to cover the vegetables, creating steam and moisture for the roasting process.
  8. Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 40 minutes. Brush more glaze over the turkey and rotate the pan for even cooking.
  9. Continue Roasting: Roast for an additional 50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the leg reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.
  10. Prepare Gravy Vegetables: Remove the carrots and celery from the roasting pan drippings and set aside to serve later. Transfer the onions and garlic from the pan into a blender.
  11. Skim Fat and Blend Juices: Skim any fat from the pan juices or use a fat separator, then strain the juices into the blender with the onions and garlic. Blend until smooth.
  12. Simmer Gravy: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan over medium heat. Mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 1 tablespoon chicken stock until smooth, then whisk into the gravy. Simmer gently until thickened.
  13. Serve: Carve the turkey, serve it over the reserved carrots and celery, and accompany with the cranberry orange glaze and fresh, smooth gravy.

Notes

  • When brushing the glaze, do not reuse any glaze that touched the raw turkey for basting the cooked meat to ensure food safety.
  • Spatchcocking the turkey reduces roasting time and helps the bird cook more evenly.
  • Use a meat thermometer to precisely check doneness at the thickest part of the leg for safe consumption.
  • Removing excess fat from pan juices before making the gravy results in a smoother, less greasy sauce.
  • If you prefer, substitute chicken stock with turkey stock for extra flavor depth.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/spatchcock-cranberry-orange-glazed-turkey-recipe/