Sweet and Spicy Turkey
I love tradition– with a twist– and this sweet and spicy turkey is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table (or any other night!) In fact, it would make fantastic ‘lunch meat’– and since turkey is WAY, WAY less per pound when you buy it whole than as sliced lunch meat– not to mention, if you make it yourself you know what’s in it!
I would describe this as a very sweet heat, not painful or fiery at all– but if you like things HOT, feel free to amp up the chili powder– if you like it MILD, feel free to reduce it!
INGREDIENTS:
-1 whole turkey
-canola oil
-1 cup brown sugar, packed (I use light brown sugar, but dark will do!)
-1/4 cup paprika
-1 tbs onion powder
-1 tbs garlic powder
-1 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder (use MORE if you like it spicy, use LESS if you like it milder)
1 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350*. Remove all giblets from the cavity– rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry. Mix all dry ingredients together and mix well using a fork (or mortar/pestle or a spice grinder.) You can either add canola oil into the spice mix to make a paste OR you can apply the oil directly to the bird — YOUR choice. Apply the spice rub ALL over the bird– top and bottom, under the skin AND inside the cavity. Cook the turkey in a roasting pan, preferably on a rack, preferably BREAST SIDE DOWN– until the internal temperature reaches 165* F.
Allow to cool slightly, carve and serve– enjoy!
