What seasoning is best for turkey?

Spices for turkey should not drown out the taste and smell of the meat itself. Sharp and bright spices are not suitable for turkey meat. It is also important to regulate the amount of seasoning. Additive options may vary depending on the cooking method. Turkey meat is baked, stewed and fried; it is good in any form.

The most popular spices and seasonings for turkey

It is important to choose spices for turkey so that they do not change the taste of the dish, but emphasize it. Among vegetables, carrots, peppers, onions, and garlic are used as seasonings. Spicy herbs also go well with turkey.

The remaining spices are added depending on what kind of turkey dish is being prepared. For example, a mixture of peppers, onions and garlic are added to the minced meat for cutlets. If preparing food for children, the turkey is boiled by adding dill, parsley and roots to the broth. Sets of spices for frying and baking have a wider composition.

Spices for frying in a pan

Turkey fillet is used for frying in a frying pan. This could be thigh or breast meat. The meat is first cut into portions, beaten and marinated in spices. After an hour, the turkey is ready to fry.

A set of spices that are suitable for pickling:

1. Pepper mixture. The set may include white, black, pink, allspice and green pepper. Each spice individually has its own aroma. It is best to use the pepper mixture in a grinder, grinding the peppercorns just before cooking.
2. Dried basil.The spice will enhance the taste of the meat. Basil is an aromatic herb. Dried inflorescences and leaves are used in cooking.
3. Turmeric. The rhizome of the plant is used to prepare the spice. The spice will give the meat an appetizing golden color and a pleasant aroma.
4. Nutmeg. It is used in powder or grated. The spice will add piquancy to the turkey.
5. Rosemary. Dried leaves of the plant will give the dish the aroma of pine needles and citrus. Adding rosemary to the marinade will make the poultry meat more tender.

Soy sauce, vegetable oil, and a little balsamic vinegar are also added to the marinade. It is better to mix the spices in advance, then their use will become more convenient.

Seasonings for baking

Turkey baked in the oven plays the role of a holiday dish for a reason. During the cooking process, the bird acquires a golden lacquered crust. The finished dish looks very decent, it is not a shame to serve it to guests.

Set of spices for baking:

1. Ginger. Dried ginger root is used as a seasoning. Can be purchased in powder form. Gives the finished dish a sharpness and a slight bitterness.
2. Coriander. Cilantro seeds are pre-ground. The spice has a specific taste and aroma, making the taste of meat richer.
3. Cardamom. The spice is the fruit of a plant belonging to the ginger family. This is one of the most popular spices. Cardamom has an exquisite taste and a sweetish spicy aroma.
4. Paprika. The seasoning is obtained by drying and grinding the fruits of sweet peppers. However, paprika can be slightly spicy and even smoked. The aroma of pepper goes well with meat.
5. Anise. The spice gives the dish a sweetish, refreshing taste and smell, in which notes of fennel can be recognized.

In order to get an appetizing crispy crust on the turkey, the listed spices are added a little at a time to the vegetable oil. The resulting mixture is coated with the poultry carcass before being sent to the oven. The turkey can also be baked in foil or a sleeve. The spice mixture is also suitable for these cases.

How to make your own turkey spice mix

To prepare a combined seasoning, you need to prepare selected spices in advance, taking into account your taste preferences and the compatibility of spices with turkey meat. For convenience, crushed herbs and seeds are mixed in a wide bowl and then poured into a hermetically sealed jar.

The amount of spicy herbs should be 2-3 times greater than the amount of ginger, coriander, cardamom, and anise. Then the taste of the finished seasoning will be harmonious. Store a set of spices at temperatures up to + 25° C, without access to light. After 1 year, unused seasoning is replaced with fresh spices.

Spiced Turkey Recipes

Turkey is considered by nutritionists to be a dietary product and can be consumed frequently. If you use a new recipe every time, you will never get tired of the meat of this bird.

Fillet baked in a sleeve

List of ingredients:

• turkey fillet – 800 g;
• garlic – 6-8 cloves;
• set of spices for baking – 2 tsp;
• vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
• salt - to taste.

Preparation step by step:

1. The meat is baked as a whole piece; first you need to wash and dry it.
2. Make cuts across the entire surface of the fillet with a thin knife.
3. Slice the garlic cloves into thin slices and stuff them into the turkey.
4. Combine vegetable oil, seasonings and salt in a cup.
5. Rub the mixture over the turkey.
6. Place the meat in the refrigerator for 2 hours to marinate.
7. Place the fillet in a baking bag and cook in an oven preheated to 200°C.

Cooking time is on average 45-50 minutes. Remove the cooked poultry from the oven, cut the sleeve and place the turkey on a plate with lettuce. If desired, the dish can be decorated with chopped herbs.

Turkey in a pan with apples and onions

The meat is first fried in a frying pan and then stewed with vegetables. The poultry fillet turns out juicy and soft.

List of ingredients:

• turkey pulp – 500 g;
• large onion – 1 pc.;
• large sour apple – 1 pc.;
• soy sauce – 1 tbsp. l.;
• olive oil – 2-3 tbsp. l.;
• mixture of seasonings for frying – 1.5 tsp;
• salt - to taste.

Cooking sequence:

1. Mix half the olive oil, soy sauce and spices in a deep bowl.
2. Cut the turkey fillet into thin slices.
3. Pour the marinade of soy sauce and oil over the meat and let it soak.
4. Cut the apple into medium size cubes.
5. Cut the onion into half rings and fry in oil until golden brown.
6. Place the meat in the frying pan with the onions and continue to fry, turning the turkey slices periodically.
7. Once the meat is browned, add apples and salt to taste.
8. Cover the frying pan with a lid and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

The dish is served with a side dish of potatoes, rice, buckwheat.

Turkey is superior in nutritional value to other types of meat. Turkey meat contains a minimal amount of fat and is suitable for people with allergies. Spices will help make turkey dishes more tasty and appetizing. You can use ready-made recipes from chefs, or experiment yourself.