Recipe Details

This Garlic and Soy Sauce Turkey Is the Heart of My Third Culture Thanksgiving

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Incorporating this garlic and scallion soy sauce turkey into your Thanksgiving feast not only brings a unique flavor profile to the table, but it also offers an opportunity to create fresh traditions.

Ingredients


For the Turkey

  • 1 (11- to 14-pound) young turkey, thawed if frozen

  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil, such as avocado

  • 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Marinade

  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as avocado, divided

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 8 cloves garlic

  • 2 large scallions, coarsely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon fine salt

  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce, optional

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

  • Dash of MSG, optional

For Stuffing the Turkey:

  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

  • 1 large celery stalk, cut into 3-inch pieces  

  • 1 medium ripe pear, quartered

  • 2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces  

  • 2 large scallions, cut into 3-inch pieces

  • 1 medium red or white onion, quartered

For the Gravy

  • Melted unsalted butter, as needed

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, more as needed

  • Low-sodium chicken broth, as needed

  • Dash of MSG, optional

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • Fine salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Description

Gather the ingredients.

Prepare the turkey. Discard the giblets and neck from 1 (11- to 14-pound) young turkey, thawed if frozen.

Pour out any liquid in the cavity and pat dry all over with paper towels. Place the turkey, breast-side-up, on a rack set in a large roasting pan (or your makeshift roasting pan, see tips). 

In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon neutral oil, 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder until a paste forms. Rub this paste all over the turkey, including inside the cavity. This will give your turkey an umami boost and a touch of irony—now it’ll taste like chicken! 

Prepare the marinade. In a small saucepan over medium, heat together 1/3 cup neutral oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter until hot. Carefully add 8 cloves garlic and 2 large scallions, coarsely chopped. Cook until aromatic and the garlic is light golden, not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. 

Remove from heat and allow to cool before transferring the oil mixture to a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons light soy sauce1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil1 tablespoon granulated sugar1 tablespoon honey1 teaspoon fine salt1 teaspoon optional fish sauce1 teaspoon cornstarch1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper, and a dash of optional MSG and pulse until a fine, runny mixture forms.