Mayonnaise is a very polarizing food ― you either love it or you hate it. Some people happily slather it on their sandwiches while others are so repulsed by it they went as far as to create a Facebook group called “I hate Mayonnaise.”
And this isn’t just about sandwiches. Many cooks swap out the butter in their chocolate cakes for mayo, creating a moist and decadent cake. Some are using mayo in their biscuits to replace the butter, adding it to their mashed potatoes or even incorporating it to their burger mixture.Advertisement
But here’s a new one for you: What about using mayonaise in your Thanksgiving turkey? Instead of making a compound butter to stuff under the turkey skin, I like to use a delicious seasoned mayo. It’s a genius idea, and let me tell you why. Advertisement
First off, I can never remember to leave the butter out overnight to soften. When you use mayo instead of butter, you don’t have to worry because it’s already at the perfect consistency ― it won’t be so hard that you’ll tear the skin fo the turkey trying to stuff it underneath. You can still add all your favorite herbs and aromatics ― thyme, parsley sage, rosemary, garlic, lemon, etc.
Second, using mayo makes the skin super crispy while keeping the inside of the turkey incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful. Third, this recipe couldn’t be easier. Mayo adds moisture throughout the cooking process, keeping the meat moist so there’s no need to brine it beforehand. There’s also no need to baste while cooking because the oil in the mayo will naturally help the skin crisp. Advertisement
Trust me on this one. You’re going to want to try this technique this Thanksgiving holiday. It might seem a little shocking to slather your turkey with mayo, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. You’ll have everyone asking how you made such a flavorful, juicy turkey.
2. Rinse turkey and pat dry, removing giblets and neck. Generously season the inside of the bird with salt and pepper – the more the better. Let turkey stand at room temperature for at least one hour to dry the skin.
4. Rub half of the mayo mixture under the skin. Use remaining half to rub all over the outside of the skin. Generously season with salt and pepper. Advertisement
6. Turn oven down to 350 degrees F and continue cooking until turkey reaches 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Mayonnaise. It may sound unusual, but when you cover your turkey with mayonnaise, it bastes it during the roasting process, keeping the meat moist and tender. And before you ask, no, it doesn’t make the turkey taste like mayonnaise, either, so mayonnaise-haters need not worry.
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Mayonnaise is a very polarizing food ― you either love it or you hate it. Some people happily slather it on their sandwiches while others are so repulsed by it they went as far as to create a Facebook group called “I hate Mayonnaise.”
And this isn’t just about sandwiches. Many cooks swap out the butter in their chocolate cakes for mayo, creating a moist and decadent cake. Some are using mayo in their biscuits to replace the butter, adding it to their mashed potatoes or even incorporating it to their burger mixture.Advertisement
But here’s a new one for you: What about using mayonaise in your Thanksgiving turkey? Instead of making a compound butter to stuff under the turkey skin, I like to use a delicious seasoned mayo. It’s a genius idea, and let me tell you why. Advertisement
First off, I can never remember to leave the butter out overnight to soften. When you use mayo instead of butter, you don’t have to worry because it’s already at the perfect consistency ― it won’t be so hard that you’ll tear the skin fo the turkey trying to stuff it underneath. You can still add all your favorite herbs and aromatics ― thyme, parsley sage, rosemary, garlic, lemon, etc.
Second, using mayo makes the skin super crispy while keeping the inside of the turkey incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful. Third, this recipe couldn’t be easier. Mayo adds moisture throughout the cooking process, keeping the meat moist so there’s no need to brine it beforehand. There’s also no need to baste while cooking because the oil in the mayo will naturally help the skin crisp. Advertisement
Trust me on this one. You’re going to want to try this technique this Thanksgiving holiday. It might seem a little shocking to slather your turkey with mayo, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. You’ll have everyone asking how you made such a flavorful, juicy turkey.
Ingredients
- 1 (10 to 12 pound) fresh turkey
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Kosher salt and pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Rinse turkey and pat dry, removing giblets and neck. Generously season the inside of the bird with salt and pepper – the more the better. Let turkey stand at room temperature for at least one hour to dry the skin.
3. In a small bowl, combine mayo, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon zest and juice.
4. Rub half of the mayo mixture under the skin. Use remaining half to rub all over the outside of the skin. Generously season with salt and pepper. Advertisement
5. Transfer to roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes.
6. Turn oven down to 350 degrees F and continue cooking until turkey reaches 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
7. Remove from oven and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
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Mayo Coated Turkey by Timothy Hollingsworth | Traeger Grills
FAQ
What sauces go well with turkey?
What is traditionally served with turkey?
Is mayo a good binder for turkey?
Can you put Mayo on a roasted turkey?
You may think that putting mayo on turkey before roasting seems super odd, but it’s the perfect way to insulate the meat. The mayonnaise rub is a mix of fresh chopped herbs and seasonings and the thick consistency helps to adhere the herbs to the bird. Does herbed mayonnaise roasted turkey taste like mayo?! Nope. It does not taste like mayonnaise.
Can mayonnaise be used instead of eggs?
Yes, you can replace eggs with mayonnaise in recipes. You can use 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise for each egg. Mayonnaise is a good substitute for adding moisture to your brownies or other baked goods, as it is made of eggs and oil, which make them soft and moist.
Should you put Mayo on a turkey sandwich?
When roasting a turkey, many people go the butter route, tucking it both under and on top of the skin. And while that’s a delicious method, we have a better, easier solution for you: mayo. While you’re likely spreading mayo on your leftover turkey sandwich, did you consider using the creamy condiment on your roast turkey, too?
Does roast turkey recipe Mayo add flavor?
They all say that mayo adds great flavor, keeps the meat moist and tender and helps with browning. Plus, it’s super easy to apply, unlike slippery softened butter. Need more convincing? If you search “roast turkey recipe mayo” on TikTok you’ll get tons of videos and see that the term has more than 220 million views.