Darnell SuperChef Ferguson’s Honey-Baked Turkey

Ingredients

Glaze Ingredients:

½ cup (100 g) brown sugar

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) cinnamon

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) nutmeg

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ginger

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) paprika

½ cup (120 ml) water

Turkey Ingredients:

½ cup (120 ml) olive oil

4 tablespoons (60 ml) minced garlic

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian seasoning

3 pounds (1350 g) turkey breast with skin on

Italian seasoning is basically a blend of dried herbs—oregano, marjoram, thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage. You can make your own or buy it at the store.

Equipment:

Small saucepot

Whisk

Small mixing bowl

Basting brush

Sheet pan or roasting pan

Aluminum foil

Cooking thermometer

Now that’s how you tent a pan!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° F (205° C). Add all ingredients for glaze to a saucepot on the stovetop, cooking at medium heat. Whisk until glaze comes to a boil, then turn off heat and set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine oil, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and Italian seasoning to make a marinade. Rub over the turkey breast, including under the turkey skin. Place turkey breast on the sheet pan or roasting pan, and cover it loosely with aluminum foil in the shape of a tent. Roast in oven for 1 hour. Remove foil and brush on the glaze with the basting brush. Put turkey back in oven. Glaze every 15 minutes until turkey is cooked (about 30 more minutes). Remove turkey from oven. Place the cooking thermometer in the center of the thickest part of the turkey. Make sure it reads 165° F (75° C) or higher. If it’s not there yet, return the turkey to the oven for an additional 20 minutes. Then check again. When the turkey is fully cooked, remove it from oven and brush on excess glaze as desired.

The breast is the leanest part of any poultry dish (turkey, chicken, etc.), which means it has little to no fat and can easily dry out. Covering the pan with aluminum foil helps keep the meat from getting dry.

Read Darnell SuperChef Ferguson’s faith story here.