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    Home » Recipes » Middle Eastern

    Updated: Jun 7, 2022 by Marc · 23 Comments

    Cinnamon Harissa Turkey

    Last Thanksgiving post! This turkey was part of my West Asian Thanksgiving dinner. I wanted to serve it without gravy, so I gave it a good dose of spice to make up for the lack of sauce. I know what you’re thinking, and I agree. Gravy is the best part of Thanksgiving, but I just
    Recipe Pin

    Last Thanksgiving post! This turkey was part of my West Asian Thanksgiving dinner. I wanted to serve it without gravy, so I gave it a good dose of spice to make up for the lack of sauce.

    I know what you're thinking, and I agree. Gravy is the best part of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't think of a credible way to make a "west asian" gravy, so I left it out. But coming from a gravy lover, this works, plus with the ultra creamy tahini mashed potatoes, it's really not necessary.

    Turkey has a bit of a "taste" that not all of us are fond of, and this spicy rub is the perfect way to bring out the good flavours while masking the bad ones. Turkey breasts also have a tendency to dry out, so I always brine my turkey first, which keeps the meat moist and ensures that it's well seasoned throughout.

    This year I used a fresh heritage turkey, and while I'm not entirely convinced that it's worth the 3x price difference, it was certainly very tasty. I'd say the biggest difference is that the meat had a bit more texture (in a good way) and flavor than your standard butterball turkey. It also seemed to have less fat.

    📖 Recipe

    Cinnamon Harissa Turkey

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    Units

    Ingredients 

    • 1 turkey (I used an 8lbs heritage )

    for the brine

    • 1 gallon water
    • 1 cup salt
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 15 cloves
    • 2 teaspoons black pepper (crushed)

    for the rub

    • 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon sumac
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander seed
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons harissa

    Instructions

    • Since I have a very small fridge, I used a washed plastic garbage bag placed inside an ice chest to brine my turkey. Just put a few ice packs down at the bottom, place a clean bag inside the ice chest and fill with the brine solution. Wash your turkey inside and out and place it in the brine filled bag. You may need to double the amount of brine depending on the size of your turkey and ice chest. Then just tie the top and let it brine for 4-6 hours.
    • When you're ready to roast it, take the turkey out of the brine and rinse it off inside and out. Pat it dry with paper towels and allow it to continue air drying at room temp for about 30 minutes. Place your oven rack at the lowest position and preheat to 450 degrees F. Prepare a v rack by covering the rack in foil and poking holes in the foil with a knife. This allows the turkey to drain without leaving rack marks on the turkey.
    • For the rub, just combine all the ingredients in a bowl. If the mixture is too pasty, just add some more olive oil to thin it out. Place the turkey on the rack and rub the inside, outside, top, bottom and sides with the harissa mixture. You can also carefully separate the skin from the breast meat near the main opening in the turkey and spread the mixture all over the breast and thighs. Tuck the wing tips under the turkey, then tuck the drumsticks into the skin at the tail to secure.
    • With the breast-side down, put the turkey in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until the back side of the turkey is nice and brown. Remove the turkey from the oven then using tongs, silicon oven mits, or wads of paper towels, flip the bird so the breasts are facing up. Turn down the oven to 325 and continue roasting until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F.
    • Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes. This gives the meat a chance to "relax" and reabsorb some of the moisture that would be lost if you cut into it right away.
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    Notes

    Carve and serve with Fiery Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce as well as these other fixin's.

    More Middle Eastern

    • Jerusalem bagels and Labneh garnished with olive oil, sumac and za'atar.
      Labneh
    • The best Mutabbal garnished with mint and toasted pine nuts. Served with pita, radishes, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
      Mutabbal (Sesame Eggplant Dip)
    • With green beans brainsed with olive oil and tomatoes until creamy and tender, Loubieh Bi Zeit is a delicious Lebanese meze that comes together from just a handful of ingredients.
      Loubieh Bi Zeit (Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil)
    • Hashweh, is an easy Levantine classic made with lamb spiced with cinnamon and allspice with savory cooked rice.
      Hashweh

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kevin (Closet Cooking) says

      December 06, 2008 at 3:19 pm

      That sounds like a nice way to season a turkey!

      Reply
    2. courtney says

      December 06, 2008 at 4:13 pm

      I was wondering if that type of turket was worth it in price. But I love your concept of a west asian dinner. I love creating new twists to traditional dinners.

      Reply
    3. Kevin (Closet Cooking) says

      December 06, 2008 at 7:19 pm

      That sounds like a nice way to season a turkey!

      Reply
    4. Peter G says

      December 06, 2008 at 7:31 pm

      A simple and easy guide to ensure the perfect roast. I too am not fond of that "taste" and always look for ways to cover it up...love the new blog design by the way!

      Reply
    5. maryann says

      December 06, 2008 at 7:33 pm

      I will deal with no gravy for a side of stuffing. That's my favorite part of the turkey day meal! Your turkey looks awesome and must have been enjoyed by all 🙂

      Reply
    6. courtney says

      December 06, 2008 at 8:13 pm

      I was wondering if that type of turket was worth it in price. But I love your concept of a west asian dinner. I love creating new twists to traditional dinners.

      Reply
    7. Peter G says

      December 06, 2008 at 11:31 pm

      A simple and easy guide to ensure the perfect roast. I too am not fond of that "taste" and always look for ways to cover it up...love the new blog design by the way!

      Reply
    8. maryann says

      December 06, 2008 at 11:33 pm

      I will deal with no gravy for a side of stuffing. That's my favorite part of the turkey day meal! Your turkey looks awesome and must have been enjoyed by all 🙂

      Reply
    9. Marc Matsumoto says

      December 07, 2008 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks Kevin!

      Courtney, it's not worth the price, but if you can get a good deal on one, they are tasty.

      Thanks Peter:-)

      Maryann, yea I'm always torn between gravy and stuffing for my favorite part of the meal, so I usually just douse the stuffing with gravy:-)

      Reply
    10. Syrie says

      December 07, 2008 at 5:00 pm

      Looks perfect Marc. I've never actually cooked a whole turkey. I do love the flavours you've used. Much more exotic!

      Reply
    11. Marc Matsumoto says

      December 07, 2008 at 7:14 pm

      Thanks Kevin!

      Courtney, it's not worth the price, but if you can get a good deal on one, they are tasty.

      Thanks Peter:-)

      Maryann, yea I'm always torn between gravy and stuffing for my favorite part of the meal, so I usually just douse the stuffing with gravy:-)

      Reply
    12. Darius T. Williams says

      December 07, 2008 at 8:05 pm

      Wow - I bet these flavor combos were great!

      -DTW
      http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

      Reply
    13. Syrie says

      December 07, 2008 at 9:00 pm

      Looks perfect Marc. I've never actually cooked a whole turkey. I do love the flavours you've used. Much more exotic!

      Reply
    14. Darius T. Williams says

      December 08, 2008 at 12:05 am

      Wow - I bet these flavor combos were great!

      -DTW
      http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

      Reply
    15. Hélène says

      December 08, 2008 at 11:02 pm

      I discovered your blog thru Kalofagas (Peter). That turkey would not last long at my place. Looks so perfect and delicious.

      Reply
    16. Hélène says

      December 09, 2008 at 3:02 am

      I discovered your blog thru Kalofagas (Peter). That turkey would not last long at my place. Looks so perfect and delicious.

      Reply
    17. [eatingclub vancouver] js says

      December 09, 2008 at 9:55 pm

      I love how you said turkey has a "taste." That's how we describe it too. LOL

      Reply
    18. [eatingclub vancouver] js says

      December 10, 2008 at 1:55 am

      I love how you said turkey has a "taste." That's how we describe it too. LOL

      Reply
    19. missdk says

      December 10, 2008 at 5:20 am

      I’m not entirely convinced that it’s worth the 3x price difference

      You should look up the differences in how they raise them. You'll never go back to butterball.

      Reply
    20. missdk says

      December 10, 2008 at 9:20 am

      I’m not entirely convinced that it’s worth the 3x price difference

      You should look up the differences in how they raise them. You'll never go back to butterball.

      Reply
    21. At says

      December 16, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      Dangerous to brine in a garbage bag...the salt solution breaks down the chemicals in the bag and are absorbed into the duck.

      Reply
    22. Elisa Cundiff says

      December 24, 2022 at 8:43 am

      I can't find your amazing fiery cinnamon cranberry sauce! It's amazing. Please repost

      Reply
      • Marc Matsumoto says

        December 27, 2022 at 9:58 am

        Sorry about that! I've sent a copy of the recipe via email.

        Reply

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