Jerky Roast Turkey – Jerk Spice Thanksgiving Turkey

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The marinade for this turkey breast is adapted from my Jerk Chicken Wings recipe and makes for a delicious, juicy turkey breast with just the right amount of heat that is beautifully balanced by brown sugar.

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Jerky roast turkey breast served on a platter.
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Marinate Time:
4 hrs
Roast Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Stand Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
6 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
8

Jerky Roast Turkey – Jamaican-Inspired Holiday Menu Remaking

I'm always looking for new and interesting things to do with turkey this time of year, since as much as I enjoy the classic holiday recipes, every once in a while you just want something different, and this Jerky Roast Turkey was certainly that. But, "different" doesn't mean it can't be just as comforting, and approachable as more traditional preparations, so what I'm trying to say is this was the best of both worlds.

Notwithstanding the habanero peppers, the marinade features many of the same ingredients commonly found in so many of our favorite holiday dishes, which is one of the main reasons I loved how this came out. These flavors should work seamlessly with any of the sauces and side dishes you'd serve with a less exciting turkey, which might make this an easier sell with the family.

I marinated this one for about 12 hours, which I thought was perfect, but I did a test version that only sat in the fridge for 3 or 4 hours, and that was very nice as well, so if you were to do your marinade the morning of the big feast, you should be fine. And yes, you can use this procedure for a whole turkey, although the cooking times will obviously be longer. Either way, if you're looking for a familiarly flavored, but slightly more thrilling turkey recipe, I really hope you give this a try. Enjoy!

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Ingredients

Marinade:

  • ½ cup diced yellow onion

  • ¼ cup green onions, sliced

  • 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

  • 2 habanero peppers, seeded and chopped

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice

  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon cumin

  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

  • 2 limes, juiced

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Turkey:

  • 3 ½ pounds boneless turkey breast

  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced

  • kosher salt to taste

  • 1 lime, cut into wedges (Optional)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Various plates and bowls filled with ingredients to make jerky roast turkey.

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  2. Combine diced onions, green onions, garlic, habanero peppers, fresh and dried thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, and in a blender or in large cup if you are using an immersion blender. Add lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Blend until smooth.

    Various spices in a cup with an immersion blender.

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  3. Place turkey breasts into a large bowl, splay it open, and pour marinade all over the turkey. Flip and toss turkey breast a number of times until it is evenly covered in marinade. Press plastic wrap over the turkey and marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4, up to 12 hours.

    Turkey breast in a bowl with jerk marinade.

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  4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Transfer the turkey into a roasting pan and tie together with cooking twine. Add sliced onions underneath and around the turkey. Season with salt.

    Trussed turkey breasts on a baking sheet.

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  5. Roast turkey in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 1 hour and 15 minutes longer

    Roasted turkey breast resting on a baking sheet.

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  6. Loosely tent with foil and let rest for about 20 minutes. Snip off the strings and serve.

    Jerky roast turkey breast served on a platter.

    ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA

Cook's Notes:

A cup of chicken or turkey broth can be stirred into the hot roasting pan, while the turkey rests. Scrap any browned bits off the bottom and spoon these pan juices over the sliced meat.

Add sweet potatoes that have been cut and tossed in lemon juice to the roasting pan and cook with the turkey if you like.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

316 Calories
9g Fat
9g Carbs
48g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 316
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Sodium 1158mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 48g 97%
Potassium 651mg 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.