November 06, 2017
Cajun Turkey with Roasted Vegetables
Cajun Turkey with Roasted Vegetables features a dry-rubbed, slow cooked cajun turkey along with roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli and red potatoes!
Cajun Turkey
Have you ever hosted Thanksgiving before? I have not hosted Thanksgiving day but I have hosted a few full turkey dinners with all of the fixings. I love hosting these for my family! Of course it is fun to have the big turkey dinner on Thanksgiving but it is also great to do it other times of the year as well. You don't even have to do all of the sides- just choose a couple of favorites and have a little get-together. This cajun roasted turkey is so delicious and the whole family will love it.
My old job used to give us turkeys for Thanksgiving and since I worked around the kitchen a lot as the dietitian, I often got sent home with 2-3 turkeys a year because there were extras that they needed to get rid of. Therefore, I found myself hosting turkey dinners for family frequently. So fun!
How to cook a Cajun turkey
My dad has an awesome way of cooking turkey which makes it super tender- you cook it at a low temperature all day long instead of at a higher temp for a few hours. It turns out perfectly and my family switched to making it this way a few years ago. Today, I kept it the traditional way to save time but feel free to try it low and slow another day.Cajun Turkey Rub
Last year, I had a cajun turkey and I was determined to make one homemade so I researched what typically goes into a cajun turkey rub and got creating in the kitchen. I kept my side dish super simple and just roasted a bunch of fall vegetables with potatoes for a delicious addition to the turkey. 
If I was serving this for Thanksgiving, I would add in some other sides such as my dad's stuffing, my mother-in-law's Sweet Potato Pie Bites, my mom's sweet and sour green beans, my Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes and more!
If you have not hosted a holiday before and are doing it for the first time, good for you! I have hosted my large family three times and love hosting! Millennials, do not be afraid to host- you can choose recipes that are simple and delicious. This recipe is very easy and you will have your guests asking you for the recipe! If you just made the main dish and had guests bring different sides, that would be a great way to do it. Troy's family does potluck for holiday dinners and it is a wonderful way to do it.
My mom typically hosts Thanksgiving for my family but this year, my brother and his wife will be hosting. My dad and brother always make the stuffing together the night before. My mom makes her green beans and a couple of other side dishes ahead of time to save time on the big day- these tips make it so much less stressful on the actual holiday.
Cajun Turkey
Yield: 10-14
Cajun Turkey with Roasted Vegetables
prep time: 10 MINScook time: 3 hourtotal time: 3 hours and 10 mins
Cajun Turkey with Roasted Vegetables features a dry-rubbed, slow cooked cajun turkey along with roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli and red potatoes!
INGREDIENTS:
Cajun Turkey
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ~12-14 pound Butterball Whole Turkey
Roasted Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 heads broccoli, chopped
- 5 large red potatoes, diced
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
Turkey
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Drain juices from turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Mix all ingredients for cajun rub together and rub over turkey.
3. Cover with aluminum foil. Cook turkey in oven, breast side up in a roasting pan for about 3 hours.
4. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer. Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees F in breast or 180 degrees F in thigh. Remove foil the last 1/2 hour and spray turkey with cooking spray or oil for best results.
5. Let turkey stand for 15 minutes before carving.
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Drain juices from turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Mix all ingredients for cajun rub together and rub over turkey.
3. Cover with aluminum foil. Cook turkey in oven, breast side up in a roasting pan for about 3 hours.
4. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer. Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees F in breast or 180 degrees F in thigh. Remove foil the last 1/2 hour and spray turkey with cooking spray or oil for best results.
5. Let turkey stand for 15 minutes before carving.
Roasted Vegetables
1. Preheat oven to 325 if turkey is in oven. Otherwise, cook at 400 degrees.
2. Toss vegetables in garlic powder and olive oil on a couple of baking sheets. Mix well.
3. Roast for about 45 minutes (at 325) or 30 minutes at 400 until potatoes are soft and vegetables are browned and crisp.
1. Preheat oven to 325 if turkey is in oven. Otherwise, cook at 400 degrees.
2. Toss vegetables in garlic powder and olive oil on a couple of baking sheets. Mix well.
3. Roast for about 45 minutes (at 325) or 30 minutes at 400 until potatoes are soft and vegetables are browned and crisp.
Like this recipe? Check out other similar recipes:
Sweet Potato Pie Bites
Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Cheddar and Apples
Bruschetta Chicken
Sheet Pan Lemon Artichoke Chicken
Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Cheddar and Apples
Bruschetta Chicken
Sheet Pan Lemon Artichoke Chicken
I can't wait to try this recipe out for Thanksgiving it's going to be awesome.
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