bacon-basted dutch oven turkey
(1 rating)
I bought a very small young turkey and decided to try to experiment with cooking it stovetop in my cast iron dutch oven. I stuffed the cavity with fruit and vegetables and herbs and rubbed the whole thing with bacon grease(yes! bacon grease-another experiment!), salt and pepper. Browned, then braised it. It was so good! Full of flavor, juicy and falling off the bone tender! May never roast another one in the oven again! This would also be good cooked outdoors over an open fire, with charcoal or on a camp stove
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(1 rating)
yield
8 serving(s)
prep time
15 Min
cook time
3 Hr
method
Stove Top
Ingredients For bacon-basted dutch oven turkey
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1 smyoung turkey(8-10lb.-mine was 8)--could also use a turkey breast or a chicken
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1 smapple cut in thick slices
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1 smonion, quartered
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1-2celery stalks, cut in 1/2-1 in. pieces
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1 mdcarrot, cut in 1/2-1 in. pieces
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a fewleaves or stalks of fresh herbs(i used sage and rosemary)
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1/4 c+ 1tbs. bacon grease(or olive oil, butter, etc.)
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salt and pepper
How To Make bacon-basted dutch oven turkey
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1Rinse the turkey well and pat dry with paper towels. Put the 1T of bacon grease in the cavity along with the herbs, apple, onion, celery and carrot. (if it won't all fit, just throw any leftover chunks in the pot when the turkey has been browned and is ready to braise)
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2Rub some of the remaining bacon grease between the skin and the meat of the breast. Rub the turkey all over with the rest of the bacon grease, then salt and pepper well.
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3Add 1T of butter or olive oil to a heavy dutch oven, heated on med. heat. Place the turkey in breast side up and brown the bottom of the turky(about 6 or 7 min.) Flip the turkey breast side down, put the lid on the dutch oven tightly and cook for 30 min. Pour 1c of chicken stock(or water) around the bird, lower the heat to med-low, replace the lid and simmer for about 2-2 1/2 hrs., until very tender, basting once or twice during last half hour of braising.
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4Remove to a platter, let rest 10 min. or so, then carve or pull meat from bones.(Mine was practically falling off the bone, and, other than the breast, did not need carved with a knife!)
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5Drizzle some of the cooking liquid on the meat and cover until ready to serve. Thicken the rest of the liquid for gravy.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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