5 from 39 votes
Cajun Roasted Turkey
The Cajun Roasted Turkey features a whole turkey seasoned with a homemade Cajun butter paste under the skin, blending spices like paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs. Roasting at a moderate oven temperature, with regular basting using chicken stock, yields moist, flavorful meat with a spiced, fragrant crust.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
25
servings
Calories:
239 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoons oregano dried
- 1/2 teaspoons thyme dried
- 1 turkey 16-18 pounds, patted dry
- 8 cups chicken stock
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, remove the innards from the turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
- Add the seasonings to a small food processor and pulse until its a fine dust then mix with butter to make a paste.
- With the back of a large spoon pull the skin away from the turkey gently being careful not to tear it and slowly add chunks of the butter under the skin then pat it down a bit flatter.
- Add 2 cups of the chicken stock to the bottom of the pan. Cover with pan with foil. Set a timer to go off every 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the stock from the bottom of the pan (add 2 more cups any time it gets low)
- After 2 hours, remove the foil and keep basting every half hour for an additional 2 hours.Rest for 20 minutes and serve. Test that the thickest part of the thigh is cooked to 165 degrees for food safety reasons.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Ensure the turkey skin is gently loosened to insert the butter paste without tearing for even flavor infusion.
- Basting every 30 minutes with chicken stock keeps the turkey moist during the long roasting time.
- Check the thickest part of the thigh to confirm it reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Use the timing reminders in the recipe to coordinate roasting and basting intervals efficiently.
Nutrition Information
Calories
239kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
96mg
(32%)
Sodium
319mg
(13%)
Potassium
316mg
(7%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
345IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
0.2mg
(0%)
Calcium
16mg
(2%)
Iron
1.1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 25 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 239
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 239kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 319mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 316mg | 7% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 345IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.