Shelley Reed
@reecuisineshe
Greek-Style Turkey with Chestnut and Pine Nut Stuffing
This traditional Greek turkey recipe features a flavorful stuffing made with chestnuts, pine nuts, and a blend of citrus juices. Perfect for festive occasions, this dish is sure to impress your guests with its rich flavors and tender meat.
Details
- Cuisine:greek
- Meal Type:dinner
- Difficulty:hard
- Estimated Cost:N/A
- Occasion:thanksgiving
- Ingredients:18
- Views:8
Recipe Information
- Prep time35 min.
- Cook time3 min.
- Total time38 min.
- Servings12
Ingredients
- 1 cup
- 1 cup, divided
- 2/3 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 1 (10 pound)
- to taste
- to taste
- 1/2 pound
- 1/2 pound
- 1/4 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon
Cooking Instructions
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Greek-Style Turkey with Chestnut and Pine Nut Stuffing.
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 325°F (165°C).
Step 2
While that warms up, let’s prepare the chestnuts.
Step 3
Carefully make a small incision on the side of each chestnut—this little step helps them roast beautifully.
Step 4
Toss them into a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until they’re perfectly toasted.
Step 5
Once they’re done, take them off the heat, peel away the shells, and chop them into delightful pieces.
Step 6
Next, let’s create a flavorful butter mixture.
Step 7
In a saucepan, melt 2/3 cup of butter and stir in the zesty lemon juice, sweet orange juice, and fragrant tangerine juice.
Step 8
This aromatic blend will be your secret weapon for flavor! Rub this mixture generously all over the turkey, both inside and out, but don’t forget to save a bit for basting later.
Step 9
Season the turkey with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then set it aside to soak in those delicious flavors.
Step 10
Now, let’s get to the heart of the stuffing.
Step 11
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef, ground pork, and chopped onion.
Step 12
Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is tender, then drain any excess grease.
Step 13
Stir in the uncooked rice, followed by those toasted chestnuts, chicken broth, the remaining 1/3 cup of butter, pine nuts, and raisins if you’re feeling adventurous.
Step 14
Add a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper to season the mixture.
Step 15
Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, creating a savory stuffing that will make your turkey sing.
Step 16
It’s time to stuff the turkey! Fill the cavities with your prepared stuffing and tie them closed with kitchen twine to keep everything snug and secure.
Step 17
Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, and for a little extra moisture, pour about 1/4 inch of water into the bottom of the pan.
Step 18
This will help keep your turkey juicy throughout the cooking process.
Step 19
Roast your turkey in the preheated oven for about 3 to 4 hours, basting occasionally with that luscious butter-juice mixture you set aside earlier.
Step 20
In the final hour, crank up the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and remove the foil covering the breast and thighs to achieve that golden-brown finish.
Step 21
Your turkey is ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh reads at least 165°F (74°C).
Step 22
As the aroma fills your kitchen, you’ll know you’re in for a treat.
Step 23
Enjoy the process, and soon you’ll have a beautifully roasted turkey that’s sure to impress your family and friends!.