Chile-Rubbed Turkey

17 ingredients
8 steps

Ingredients

  • 10 dried guajillo chiles
  • 6 dried ancho chiles
  • 8 dried chiles de arbol
  • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled, crushed
  • 6 (12-ounce) cans pale lager (such as Tecate or Budweiser)
  • 1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
  • 2 bunches oregano, divided
  • 1 cup plus 2 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 (12-14-pound) turkey, giblets and neck removed
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, halved
  • 2 cups (or more) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • Lime wedges and fresh chiles and herbs (for garnish; optional)

Directions

  1. 1
    Using kitchen shears, cut open guajillo and ancho chiles along one side; place seeds in large bowl; set aside. Open chiles and place flat in a large dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning once, until lightly puffed and toasted, about 4 minutes. Add chiles de arbol and cumin seeds; toast until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl with chile seeds, add 4 cups boiling water, and let soak until softened, about 10 minutes.
  2. 2
    Puree chile mixture with soaking liquid, onion, and garlic in a blender.
  3. 3
    Combine beer, brown sugar, 1 bunch oregano, 1 cup salt, 3 cups chile paste, and 8 cups water in a very large stock pot. Add turkey, cover, and chill at least 12 hours and up to 14 hours.
  4. 4
    Remove turkey from brine; pat dry. Place, breast side up, on a rack set in a large roasting pan. Mix remaining 2 1/2 teaspoon salt into remaining 1 1/2 cups chile paste. Working from neck end of turkey, gently loosen skin from breasts and rub under skin and all over outside of bird. Chill turkey at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.
  5. 5
    Preheat oven to 375°F. Stuff turkey with onion, garlic, and remaining bunch of oregano; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Add broth and 2 cups water to pan and roast turkey 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and roast, basting every 30-40 minutes with melted butter, adding more broth or water as needed to maintain some liquid in pan, and tenting with foil if turkey browns too quickly, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 2 1/2-3 hours longer.
  6. 6
    Transfer turkey to a platter; tent with foil. Let rest at least 30 minutes before carving.
  7. 7
    Meanwhile, strain pan drippings into a measuring cup. Let sit 30 minutes, then skim fat from surface. Bring to a boil in a medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 1 cup. Stir in lime juice.
  8. 8
    Garnish turkey as desired and serve with pan sauce alongside.

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