Best Turkey with Citrus and Achiote

How to prepare best Thanksgiving turkey for dinner!

Each Holiday has its distinctive moment when we prepare to cook the turkey, the focus remains on celebrating with family and friends. I like to turn the kitchen into a work shop, inviting family to decorate the house.

My daughter and I like to start baking the day before and usually we like to prepare some cocktails to relax while we are baking.

Let this Thanksgiving be your most delicious yet!

Thanksgiving inspires me to cook simple recipes with my family. As for the Turkey recipe I promise you the most delicious, juicy and flavorful turkey. From the fresh ingredients to ways of preparing the dinner, Mexican cuisine enhance the flavors with aromatics ingredients and warm spices allowing to pick up the flavors from steaming citrus, apples, rosemary and sage.

Cooking Turkey does not have to be complicated, you can make your first turkey in one day.

Here is a step by step guide to the best Thanksgiving turkey, perfectly cooked and moist.

HOW TO PREPARE AN EASY OVEN ROASTED TURKEY.

1- Buy fresh or frozen 12-15 lbs. for 1st timers.

2- If frozen - thawing your turkey at least 3 days before using.

a) Slow thaw - place inside fridge for 3 days

b) Medium thaw- place turkey inside a bag, fill kitchen sink with room temperature

and place seal bag for 7-8 hours.

c) Speed thaw - defrost in the microwave

3- Cleaning the turkey - I use the kitchen sink and works really well.

- Remove giblets and neck, rinse turkey thoroughly with cold water.

- Pat dry the bird.

- Place it in a shallow dish, where is not going to drip.

4- Place and cut all the ingredients before working on the turkey -you need prep all ingredients and use little bowls ready to apply, you don't want to contaminate all your ingredients bottles with your hands. ( this will make all the steps easier)

STEP BY STEP PREPARATION OF THE TURKEY

STEP # 1

WASHING THE BIRD

I use the sink for more convenience area to wash the bird. I remove the giblets and neck, rinse thoroughly with cold water inside cavity and out. Then I use paper towel to pat dry the bird. I also clean the sink after removing the bird with soap and Clorox.

The turkey size was 19 pound which needs to cook for 2 1/2 hrs. at 325 F. Always read the package instructions.

STEP # 2

PREPARE THE ADOBE MIXTURE

Ingredients:

1 package of achiote paste

1/2 cup orange juice

10 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon coriander

3 tablespoon coconut amino sauce

Blend all ingredients in the electrical blender.

STEP # 3

PREP-TURKEY

In this step we need to prepare the turkey. we need to loosing the turkey's skin so you can slip flavored butter underneath the breast.

STEP # 4

PRE-HEAT OVEN

Set oven at 350 F. to pre heat and then lower at 325 F. when you place the turkey inside.

Prepare the butter spread

1/2 cup soft butter

3 tablespoon adobo mixture

Mix the adobo with butter creating a paste.

STEP # 5

ADD SEASONINGS

Slip the adobo butter mixture underneath the turkey's skin.

insert garlic and adobo mixture inside turkey's cavity

Sprinkle the kosher salt inside cavity and outside the turkey.

STEP # 6

STUFF THE CAVITY

1 tablespoon black pepper corn

1 tablespoon whole cloves

5 bay leaves

2 celery ribs

1 red apple sliced

1 green apple sliced

2 oranges cut in 1/2

3 carrots cut

1 lemon cut in 1/2

fresh rosemary springs

fresh sage springs

Add the adobo mixture inside cavity.

Get a turkey baking bag and add 1 spoon of flour, shake the bag before placing turkey inside.

Place the turkey inside the baking bag, add the adobo mixture all over the turkey and close the bag.

STEP # 7

BAKING

Bake at 325 F. for about 2 1/2 hrs. or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165 F - 170 F. Please make sure to read the turkeys instructions, the timing may vary depends on how many pounds the bird weights.

Remove the turkey from the oven to cutting board or big plater and let it rest for 30 minutes. I often basting the turkey while cooking in the oven and when I remove it,

to keep it moist.

Gravy:

Combine pan drippings and turkey broth in a saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk in a brown gravy mix with water and add to the broth continue whisking until thickened.