Turkey with Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Culinary Setting
Home
Servings
14
Product
Whole Turkey

Ingredients

1 lb fresh chorizo sausage

1/4 c unsalted butter

1 Large onion, chopped (about 1 c)

1 c chopped celery

1/2 Medium red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 c)

1 Medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 tsp dried sage leaves

1 tsp dried thyme leaves

1 (16-oz) package cornbread stuffing crumbs

15 oz TURKEY BROTH or low sodium chicken broth

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed

1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1 (14-lb) WHOLE TURKEY, thawed if frozen

2 to 3 tbsp canola oil

Directions

CHORIZO CORNBREAD STUFFING

Crumble chorizo into large non-stick skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Drain and discard drippings. Wipe skillet clean with paper towels to remove grease.

Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Sauté about 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in sage and thyme; set aside.

Place stuffing crumbs in large bowl. Add cooled chorizo and vegetable mixture; mix lightly. Stir in broth. Set aside.

ROASTING TURKEY

Mix garlic salt, chili powder, oregano and black pepper in small bowl; set aside.

Remove neck and giblets from body and neck cavities of turkey; refrigerate and reserve for gravy. Drain juices from turkey; pat turkey dry with paper towels.

Fill neck cavity with part of the stuffing. Turn wings back to hold neck skin against back of turkey. Fill body cavity with stuffing.

Place turkey, breast up, on flat roasting rack in shallow roasting pan. Rub turkey with oil and sprinkle with garlic salt seasoning mixture. Place small pieces of aluminum foil over skin of neck cavity and over stuffing at body cavity opening to prevent over browning during roasting.

Roast in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 2-1/2 hours. Remove from oven and cover breast and tops of drumsticks with aluminum foil to prevent overcooking. Continue to roast for about 1-1/2 hours or until food thermometer reaches 165 degrees F when inserted in center of stuffing and reaches 165 degrees F when inserted in deepest part of thigh.

Meanwhile, place extra stuffing (if any remains) in a casserole dish; stir in 1/4-cup broth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake covered at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until hot.

Allow turkey to rest for about 20 minutes before carving.