Cajun Spiced Turkey

Keep up the flavor of your bird with this Spice recipe. It's so much better than a store bought blend.

12-14lb. whole turkey, giblets and neck discarded

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

8 tablespoons Cajun Spice mix (recipe follows)

2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 large onion)

1 1/2 cups chopped celery (about 3 stalks)

1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium bell pepper)

1/4 cup olive oil

Line a large roasting pan with foil. Place a V-shaped roasting rack over foil, and spray with cooking spray. Place turkey, breast side up, on prepared rack, and pat dry with paper towels.

In a medium bowl, stir together butter and 2 tablespoons Cajun Spice Mix. Gently loosen skin from turkey, keeping skin intact. Rub butter mixture evenly under skin on each breast. Pat turkey dry, and sprinkle all over with remaining Cajn Spice Mix, rubbing it into the skin. Tie legs with butcher's twine. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.

Let turkey stand at room temperature at room temperature for 1 hour.

Position oven rack to lowest level. Preheat oven to 375℉.

In a medium bowl, combine onion, celery, and bell pepper. Fill turkey cavity with vegetable mixture, scattering any remaining vegetables across bottom of roasting pan. Brush turkey with oil.

Bake for 1 hour. Rotate pan, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of thigh registers 165℉, 1 to 1 1/2 hours more, covering with foil to prevent excess browning, if necessary. Transfer turkey to platter, and let stand for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Cajun Spice Mix

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

2 tablespoons granulated onion

4 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons ground oregano

2 teaspoons ground thyme

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon ground chipolte chili pepper

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

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Enjoy!!!

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