Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey has a crispy skin, super moist and flavorful turkey meat, and the best gravy youve ever had!
When it comes to Thanksgiving, this Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey has been the star of our spread for years and years. Ive made it countless times (along with my favorite Apple Sausage Pecan Stuffing!) and every time I am blown away by how crispy the skin is but tender the meat stays.
The mayonnaise rub that gets slathered all over the turkey is the key to this magical combination. This recipe requires no advanced brining, no special baking instructions, and you will be a turkey roasting master in less than 3 hours! [feast_advanced_jump_to]
So today, Im making the turkey making process EASY. Simple. No-fuss. We can get behind that, right?
Turkey is a classic main dish for many holidays and gatherings. But finding the perfect condiments and sauces to serve with turkey can be tricky. One sauce that often gets overlooked when pairing with turkey is mayonnaise. But does mayo actually go well with turkey? The answer might surprise you.
An Overview of Mayo and Turkey
Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce made from oil, egg yolks, and either vinegar or lemon juice. It has a rich, tangy flavor that complements many foods. Turkey is a lean, mild meat that can often benefit from the addition of flavorful sauces and condiments.
At first glance mayo and turkey may seem like an unlikely pair. But many chefs and home cooks have discovered that mayonnaise can add a wonderful creaminess and tanginess that perfectly complements the mild flavor of turkey.
So if you’re looking to jazz up your next turkey dinner, don’t overlook the versatility and flavor of mayonnaise. Here is an in-depth guide to successfully pairing mayo with turkey.
Popular Ways to Use Mayo with Turkey
There are many creative ways to incorporate mayonnaise into your turkey dishes Here are some of the most popular uses for mayo with turkey
As a Marinade or Baste
One of the best ways to add flavor and moisture to turkey is to marinate it or baste it with mayo. The oil and egg yolks in the mayo keep the turkey juicy. And the acidity from the vinegar or lemon juice helps tenderize the meat. Simply coat your turkey with mayo before roasting or grilling. The mayo will caramelize into a crisp, flavorful crust.
In Sandwiches
A turkey sandwich just isn’t complete without a smear of mayo. The creaminess of the mayo perfectly balances out sandwiches made with slices of roasted or deli turkey. Some popular turkey sandwiches featuring mayo include classic turkey and Swiss, turkey BLTs, and turkey club sandwiches.
As a Dip
Plain mayo or flavored aioli makes a tasty dip for turkey. Simply pair cooked slices of turkey with a bowl of hearty mayo or aioli. Garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, and herb mayo are especially delicious with turkey.
In Casseroles
Adding mayo to turkey casseroles helps bind the ingredients together into a rich, creamy dish. Try making turkey and rice casseroles, turkey noodle bakes, or turkey enchiladas with plenty of mayo stirred in. The mayo adds moisture and a tangy flavor contrast.
As a Salad Topping
Turkey salad made with mayo is a lunchtime classic for good reason. The mayo binds diced turkey, vegetables, and spices together into a creamy, protein-packed salad. Try topping greens or stuffing turkey salad into a pita or sandwich.
In Stuffing and Dressing
Stirring mayo into turkey stuffing or dressing recipes adds moisture and enhances the flavor. The mayo complements classic stuffing ingredients like celery, onions, herbs, and broth.
Cooking Methods That Pair Well with Mayo
Certain cooking methods like roasting, grilling, and smoking work especially well with mayo-coated turkey. Here’s an overview of the best cooking techniques to use:
Roasting
Roasting a turkey coated with mayo produces incredibly moist, tender meat with crispy browned skin. The mayo bastes the turkey from the inside out. Simply loosen the skin and rub mayo directly onto the breast meat before roasting.
Grilling
Grilled turkey tends to dry out quickly. Mayo solves this by keeping the meat juicy and adding flavor. Coat turkey breasts, legs, kebabs, or burgers with mayo before grilling. The mayo caramelizes into a tasty crust.
Smoking
Smoking turkey with mayo gives you tender, juicy meat infused with smoky flavor. Mayo also helps form that desirable pink smoke ring. Use mayo to coat the turkey or mix it into a wet brine before smoking.
Tips for Using Mayo with Turkey
To get the best results when pairing mayo with turkey, keep these tips in mind:
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Opt for real mayonnaise over low-fat mayo dressings. Real mayo contains more oil and egg yolks which keep turkey moist.
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Add extra flavor by mixing spices, herbs, mustard, or hot sauce into the mayo before coating turkey.
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Mayo can burn quickly under high heat. Use moderate temperature settings when cooking mayo-coated turkey.
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Let roasted or grilled turkey rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
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Undercook turkey slightly if mixing into casseroles, sandwiches, salads or dressings to be served later.
Benefits of Using Mayo with Turkey
Using mayo with turkey provides some great benefits:
Adds Moisture
Oil and egg yolks in mayo help turkey retain moisture, especially when roasting or grilling. This prevents dry, stringy meat.
Promotes Browning
Mayo speeds up the Maillard reaction to produce browned turkey skin and crusty edges on roasted, grilled, or smoked turkey.
Boosts Flavor
Tart lemon juice and vinegar cut the richness of turkey. Creamy mayo and spices stick to the meat, infusing more flavor.
Improves Texture
Mayo tenderizes turkey and produces juicy meat with some chew. The smooth mayo also balances out the denseness of turkey.
Simplifies Cooking
Mayo marinades and bastes turkey in one step. No extra work basting turkey or prepping a marinade required!
Delicious Mayo-Turkey Recipes to Try
Here are some mouthwatering mayo-turkey recipe ideas:
- Mayonnaise Herb Roasted Turkey
- Grilled Turkey Breast with Jalapeño Mayo
- Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwiches with Avocado Mayo
- Curried Turkey Salad Sandwiches
- Turkey Vegetable Casserole with Creamy Mayo Topping
- Chipotle Mayo Turkey Burgers
- BLT Turkey Salad Wraps
So don’t reserve mayo just for deli meats and cold sandwiches. Try one of these recipes to enjoy the amazing pairing of tangy, creamy mayo with tender and juicy turkey.
Mayo and turkey might not seem like an obvious flavor match initially. However, the creaminess and acidity of mayonnaise complements and enhances the mild flavor of turkey beautifully. So don’t be afraid to slather on the mayo for your next turkey dinner. Use mayo to marinate, baste, roast, grill, smoke, dip, spread, and stir into all kinds of tasty turkey dishes. Mayo adds moisture, browning, and flavor that takes turkey to the next level.
Why You’ll Love this Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey
Crispy and Juicy Turkey – So what makes this turkey so amazing? The skin is incredible. Crispy and juicy. The meat is SUPER tender and flavorful. And the gravy? Holy moly its the best gravy ever. Its SO good drizzled over Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes!
Simple Recipe – Theres no brining or basting. Just lather the turkey in mayo, and follow the baking directions. Youll be well on your way to your best Thanksgiving turkey ever!
Amazing Gravy – the drippings from the turkey and the mayonnaise rub make the most amazing gravy.
Turkey – a whole 12-14 pound turkey is used in this recipe. If youre looking for a recipe using turkey breast, check out my Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey Breast.
Mayonnaise – I know this sounds strange, but it truly makes the best crispy skinned turkey!
Fresh herbs – I use fresh sage, fresh thymes and fresh rosemary in the rub. I also stick any leftover fresh herbs to the cavity of the turkey to add flavor to the drippings for the gravy.
Lemon Zest – the zest of a lemon adds a little bit of fresh lemon flavor to the savory mayonnaise rub.
Fresh Garlic – adds delicious garlic flavor to the turkey.
Butter – an entire stick of butter is placed inside the turkey which adds moisture to the turkey and provides fat for the gravy.
Onion and Apple – added to the inside of the turkey to add flavor to the drippings for the gravy.
Sea Salt – a generous amount of sea salt is sprinkled over the turkey.
Refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients.
Other Thanksgiving Recipes to Consider
Mayo Clinic Turkey Tips – Taking Your Turkey from the Store to the Table
FAQ
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