I love this cherry jalapeno glazed turkey! The glaze gets sticky and caramelized on the outsides and it’s got a slightly spicy and sweet vibe going on with it, its delicious!
This recipe can also be made using cranberry sauce instead of cherry jam if desired.
This recipe can be oven baked, grilled or smoked and it will taste great in any of those cooking methods.
I would recommend brining your turkey before cooking it. I have made turkey without brining and I personally think it makes a big difference on how tender and juicy the meat ends up being. Brining deepens the flavor penetration into the turkey meat.
Here are my turkey brine recipes:
Smoked Turkey Brine
Herb Turkey Brine
What you need to make this cherry jalapeno glazed turkey:
Makes 1 turkey
*The measurements for spices used on the turkey will change depending on the size of your turkey, for this reason I will list the seasoning ingredients but not the exact amount, you will be adding a generous sprinkle of each of these ingredients.
- 1/2 cup salted butter – softened
- salt
- black pepper
- chili powder
Cherry or Cranberry Jalapeno Glaze:
- 4 jalapenos – seeds removed or a mild spice or left in or a hot spice, minced
- 1 cup cherry jam or cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- After turkey has been brined, pat dry and loosen the skin on the turkey breasts.
- Take your softened butter and pack it under the skin of the turkey breast.
- Generously sprinkle your turkey with salt, black pepper, paprika and chili powder.
- Place turkey in a roasting pan with the breasts down for extra moist breasts, it isn’t as pretty this way but I think it tastes better. You can also keep the breasts on top if you want a pretty bird.
- Cook turkey for recommended time for the size of bird you have, about 13 minutes per pound.
- When turkey is just about done, prepare your cherry or cranberry jalapeno glaze by adding all of the ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Stir while you bring mixture to a simmer and cook until the sugar melts. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth glaze or keep chunky.
- Pour hot glaze over your turkey, you can pour it on the bottom of the turkey or flip the turkey over so the breast are on top again, either way is fine.
- Increase the heat on your oven, grill or smoker to 475 F. and finish cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the glaze begins to caramelize, re-adding the glaze to the top of turkey if it starts to run off the sides.
- Remove turkey from oven, grill or smoker and cover with aluminum foil and a towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes so the juices can recirculate.
- Slice and enjoy.
Cherry Jalapeno Glazed Turkey
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter – softened
- salt
- black pepper
- chili powder
- 4 jalapenos – seeds removed or a mild spice or left in or a hot spice minced
- 1 cup cherry jam or cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- After turkey has been brined, pat dry and loosen the skin on the turkey breasts.
- Take your softened butter and pack it under the skin of the turkey breast.
- Generously sprinkle your turkey with salt, black pepper, paprika and chili powder.
- Place turkey in a roasting pan with the breasts down for extra moist breasts, it isn’t as pretty this way but I think it tastes better. You can also keep the breasts on top if you want a pretty bird.
- Cook turkey for recommended time for the size of bird you have, about 13 minutes per pound.
- When turkey is just about done, prepare your cherry or cranberry jalapeno glaze by adding all of the ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Stir while you bring mixture to a simmer and cook until the sugar melts. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth glaze or keep chunky.
- Pour hot glaze over your turkey, you can pour it on the bottom of the turkey or flip the turkey over so the breast are on top again, either way is fine.
- Increase the heat on your oven, grill or smoker to 475 F. and finish cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the glaze begins to caramelize, re-adding the glaze to the top of turkey if it starts to run off the sides.
- Remove turkey from oven, grill or smoker and cover with aluminum foil and a towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes so the juices can recirculate.
- Slice and enjoy.