Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results

Ingredients

0/11 checked
16
servings
0.5 cup

butter

melted

2 tbsp

oregano leaves

chopped fresh

2 tbsp

thyme leaves

chopped fresh

4 unit

garlic

minced

1 unit

garlic head

whole

1 unit

turkey

whole

1 tsp

kosher salt

to taste

1 tsp

pepper

to taste

10 unit

New Mexico chiles

dried

1 unit

onion

peeled and wedged

2 cup

chicken broth

fat-skimmed

Step 1
~6 min

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Step 2
~6 min

Melt butter in a 1- to 2-quart pan over medium heat.

Step 3
~6 min

Stir in half the oregano and thyme, and the minced garlic.

Step 4
~6 min

Remove from heat.

Step 5
~6 min

Remove and discard leg truss from turkey.

Step 6
~6 min

Pull off and discard any lumps of fat.

Step 7
~6 min

Remove giblets and neck (they're often packed in neck or body cavity) and save for gravy or discard.

Step 8
~6 min

Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry.

Step 9
~6 min

Lightly sprinkle turkey cavities with salt and pepper and remaining oregano and thyme.

Step 10
~6 min

Rinse chiles and pat dry.

Step 11
~6 min

Cut off stems and shake out seeds (cut chiles, if necessary, to remove seeds easily).

Step 12
~6 min

Peel onion and cut into 1-inch wedges.

Step 13
~6 min

Rinse garlic head and cut in half crosswise.

Step 14
~6 min

Place half the chiles, onion, and garlic in turkey body cavity.

Step 15
~6 min

Set a V-shaped rack in a 12- by 17-inch roasting pan. Place remaining chiles under center of rack.

Key Technique: Roasting
Step 16
~6 min

Set turkey, breast up, on rack.

Step 17
~6 min

If desired, tuck wing tips under body and loosely tie ends of drumsticks together with cotton string.

Step 18
~6 min

If turkey overlaps pan rim, tuck a strip of heavy-duty foil along pan sides to keep fat from dripping over.

Step 19
~6 min

Brush turkey all over with butter mixture.

Step 20
~6 min

Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 21
~6 min

Lay remaining onion and garlic, cut side down, in pan. Pour 2 cups broth into pan.

Step 22
~6 min

Roast turkey until a meat thermometer inserted straight down through thickest part of breast to the bone registers 160°F, 2 to 3 hours.

Step 23
~6 min

Check pan occasionally; if most of the broth has evaporated, add 1 to 2 cups more broth so pan drippings don't burn.

Step 24
~6 min

Tip turkey slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan.

Step 25
~6 min

Transfer to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 26
~6 min

Meanwhile, pour pan juices into a 2- to 4-cup glass measure.

Step 27
~6 min

Skim off and discard fat.

Step 28
~6 min

Pour 2 cups of the pan juices (if you don't have enough, add more broth to make 2 cups) into a blender.

Step 29
~6 min

Add onion and chiles from turkey cavity and pan.

Step 30
~6 min

If desired, squeeze garlic from skins into blender, or discard garlic head.

Step 31
~6 min

Holding blender lid down with a towel, whirl until mixture is coarsely pureed.

Step 32
~6 min

Return sauce to roasting pan and stir over medium heat until hot.

Key Technique: Roasting
Step 33
~6 min

Add salt to taste and pour into a bowl.

Step 34
~6 min

Carve turkey and serve with chile sauce.

Step 35
~6 min

If thigh joints are still pink (common in an oven-roasted bird), cut drumsticks from thighs, place thighs in a baking pan, and bake in a 350°F to 450°F oven until no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes, or put on a microwave-safe plate and cook in a microwave oven at full power (100%) for 1 to 3 minutes.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

Expert advice for the best results

Brining the turkey before roasting will result in a more moist and flavorful bird.

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Cooking Experience

Everything you need to know before you start

Time & Preparation

Cleanup Time

30 minutes

Batch Cooking
Friendly
Make Ahead

The chile sauce can be made a day in advance.

Freezable
Kid Friendly

Cooking Environment

Messiness Level
Medium
Smell Intensity
Strong
Noise Level
Medium
Elder Friendly
Suitable for seniors

Plating & Presentation

Serving Suggestions

Serve with mashed potatoes

Serve with roasted vegetables

Serve with cornbread

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings

Mashed sweet potatoes
Green bean casserole
Cranberry sauce

Drink Pairings

Cultural Heritage

Discover the story behind this recipe

Origin & Tradition

Region of Origin

New Mexico

Cultural Significance

Celebration of Southwestern flavors, especially during holidays.

Style

Occasions & Celebrations

Festive Uses

Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Year's

Occasion Tags

Thanksgiving
Christmas
Holiday
Family Dinner

Popularity Score

70/100

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