Best 20 Southwestern Turkey Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken soup, mushroom soup, chile peppers and sour cream.
• Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan with corn tortillas. Follow with a layer of turkey. Pour soup mixture over turkey, sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat layers and top with cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, jalapeno, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne. Add the turkey, beans, tomatoes and corn. , Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Garnish with sour cream, chips, cheese and olives if desired. Freeze option: Place individual portions of cooled soup in freezer containers and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY CLUB

Steps:

• Working in two batches if necessary, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes per side; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons rendered fat from skillet.
• Season turkey generously with salt and pepper. Add to skillet, and cook over medium heat until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• In a small bowl, mash avocado, lime juice, and chiles with a fork; season with salt and pepper.
• Spread avocado mixture on one side of each slice of toast. Layer turkey, bacon, tomato, and toast to form four triple-decker sandwiches. To serve, skewer with toothpicks; slice in half with a serrated knife.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY WITH CHIPOTLE GRAVY

Steps:

• The day before roasting, prepare the rub: Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey; refrigerate until you make the gravy. Pat the turkey very dry with paper towels. Whisk 2 tablespoons salt, the brown sugar, chile powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, the cumin, coriander and onion powder in a small bowl. Spread about one-quarter of the rub inside the cavity of the turkey and spread the rest all over the skin. Set the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan and refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.
• The next day, let the turkey let sit at room temperature, 30 minutes. Position an oven rack in the lowest position (remove the other racks); preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Pour or wipe out any juices that have collected in the bottom of the roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with the onion, carrot, celery and thyme sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat; whisk in the chopped thyme and the remaining 1 teaspoon paprika. Let cool slightly, then brush all over the turkey. Transfer to the oven and roast 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the Classic Gravy, adding the heavy cream and chipotle and sauce with the stock in step 2.
• After the turkey has roasted 1 hour, baste it with the drippings. Continue roasting, basting every 30 minutes, until the skin is dark golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 2 more hours.
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving; reserve the drippings for the gravy. Stir the vinegar into the finished gravy.
• Prepare the stock: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the turkey neck and giblets; cook, turning, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, thyme and bay leaves; stir to coat. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, reduce the heat to low and simmer about 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup; reserve the saucepan. You should have 7 cups stock-if you're short, add more broth.
• Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in the reserved saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the 7 cups stock; bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside until the turkey is done.
• Pour the turkey pan drippings into a fat separator and let stand until the fat rises to the top. Discard the fat (or drizzle on your stuffing). Whisk the defatted drippings into the gravy; season with salt and pepper. Reheat before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a Dutch oven, saute onions and jalapenos in butter until tender. Stir in turkey, soup, sour cream and spinach. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer half the turkey mixture, cheese and tortilla chips. Repeat layers., Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 25-30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with green onions.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY IN BRINE ( FUNKY BIRD)

Steps:

• In a large non reactive container (we usually use a white trash bag--heavy duty or doubled sacked), combine lemon juice, orange juice, kosher salt, light brown sugar, yellow onions, oranges, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, ground cumin and oregano with 1 gallon water.
• Stir, squeeze, or shake up to dissolve brine the sugar & salt.
• Put the turkey under cold running water and rinse.
• Add the turkey to the brine, cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Essence:.
• Mix ingredients well and store in an airtight container or jar. Yields about 2/3 cup.
• Preheat oven to 375°FF.
• Remove the turkey from the brine and put it breast side up in a large heavy roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels.
• Rub the turkey with vegetable oil.
• Sprinkle all sides with 1- 3 tablespoons of Essence.
• Roast until deep golden brown and an instant thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F., about 1 hour and 45 minutes for breast, and a whole turkey takes about 20 minutes per pound.
• Transfer to a platter and let stand for about 15 minutes before carving.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BURGER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine egg white, cheese, turkey, salt, kidney beans, breadcrumbs, onion, cilantro, and salsa and mix thoroughly. Divide the mixture and form into 4 patties. Tuck any pieces of cheese into the burgers with your fingertip to prevent scorching. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add burgers and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve on English muffins, accompanied by lettuce and extra salsa (to use as a topping).

SOUTHWESTERN MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl Mix together yogurt, salsa, cumin and chipotle chili powder. Set 1 1/2 cups aside in the refrigerator.
• In another bowl mix together turkey, crushed chips, egg, remaining seasoned yogurt, cilantro, corn, black beans. Using a small scoop spoon, make tablespoon sized balls, and place on a lightly greased shallow baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Serve meat balls on shredded lettuce with reserved sauce for dipping.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY RUB

Steps:

• Mash drained salsa and butter together in a bowl. Mix in garlic, orange juice, orange zest, thyme, salt, liquid smoke, and pepper.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium-high. In a medium bowl, place turkey, jalapeno, cheese, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix very gently with a fork to combine, being careful not to overwork meat (which would make burgers dense).
• Gently form meat into 4 equal-size patties, 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. Press thumb in the center of each patty to make an indentation approximately 1/2-inch deep (this helps keep burgers flat during grilling).
• Moisten a folded paper towel with oil; grasp with tongs and rub over grates. Season burgers with salt and pepper; grill until cooked throughout, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Serve on buns (toasted on grill, if you like), with desired toppings.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BURGERS

Steps:

• Mix turkey through garlic together in a bowl.
• Make into 6 burgers.
• Grill 5 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees.
• Top with cheese.
• Toast rolls. Serve burger with desired condiments.

SOUTHWESTERN-FLAVORED GROUND BEEF OR TURKEY FOR TACOS & SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet until shimmering. Add onion; saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef or turkey and cook, stirring often, until it loses its raw color. Stir in tomatoes; simmer to blend flavors, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cornmeal; cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens, almost instantly. Cool and refrigerate (or serve warm for dinner as tacos or taco salad).

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the first six ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. , Pour half of the turkey mixture into a 3-cup baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with remaining turkey mixture and cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Starting at the back opening of the turkey, gently separate skin from turkey breast, using fingers. Place sage leaves under the skin.
• Make a stuffing, if desired, but do not cook. Stuff turkey just before roasting, not ahead of time. Fill neck cavity lightly with stuffing. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching. Fill body cavity lightly with stuffing. (Do not pack stuffing because it will expand during roasting.) Tuck drumsticks under band of skin at tail, or tie together with heavy string, then tie to tail.
• Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Heat butter, chili powder, cumin and chilies until butter is melted. Brush turkey with 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in the thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone. (Do not add water or cover turkey.)
• Roast uncovered 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes, brushing occasionally with remaining butter mixture. After roasting about 2 hours, place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over turkey when it begins to turn golden, and cut band of skin or remove tie holding drumsticks to allow inside of thighs to cook through.
• Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. Thermometer placed in center of stuffing will read 165°F. If a meat thermometer is not used, begin testing for doneness after about 2 hours 30 minutes. When turkey is done, place on warm platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving. Garnish with whole chilies and additional sage leaves if desired.
• While turkey is standing, skim fat from drippings. Pour just the drippings into 1-quart saucepan; heat to boiling. Serve with turkey. Cover and refrigerate any remaining turkey and stuffing separately.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES

Steps:

• For the sweet potato fries, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Wash and dry the potatoes
• With the skin on, slice into 1/2-inch-thick rounds; cut the rounds into 1/2-inch-thick finger-shaped pieces.
• Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
• On a baking sheet, spread the sweet potato fries in a single layer and roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until brown and tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, transfer to a platter or bowl and sprinkle with a little more salt.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the lean ground turkey with the diced chiles and season with salt and pepper.
• Shape into patties and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Heat a large grill pan or nonstick skillet on medium heat and spritz with canola oil.
• Add the turkey patties to the grill pan and cook until browned on one side, about 4 minutes.
• Flip, reduce the heat to low, cover (if using a skillet) and cook until the juices run pale pink, about 4 more minutes.
• Top with the reduced-fat pepper-jack cheese during the last minute.
• Toast the rolls in the oven or in a toaster oven. Alternatively, grill them 1 minute on each side.
• To assemble: On a platter, place the fries and a burger on a bun and top with lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado slices. Squeeze lime juice over the fries and serve.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY CHILI

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Cook turkey and onion for 5 minutes or until onion is soft, stirring frequently.
• 2. Stir in tomatoes and its juices, corn, beans, tomato sauce and chili powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12-15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• 3. Serve with lime wedges and top with sour cream and cilantro, if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat; add bell peppers. Cook 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peppers are almost crisp-tender. Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking to bottom of pan. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BREAST WW

Steps:

• Adjust the oven racks to divide the oven into thirds.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix the chili powder and cumin in a small bowl; stir in the oil and lime juice until the mixture forms a thick paste.
• Loosen the skin around the turkey breast by running your fingers between the skin and the meat, starting at the tips of the breast halves.
• Once the skin is loosened, divide the spice mixture between the 2 halves and spread it liberally onto the meat, patting the skin back into place.
• Place the turkey breast into the roasting pan.
• bake in the lower third of the oven, basting with pan juices every 20 minutes, until an instant read thermometer inserted in the breast registers 170 degrees F., about 2 hours.
• If the pan juicesdry out before the turkey is cooked through, add the broth to baste the bird occasionally.
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before carving.
• Remove the skin before eating.

V'S SOFT TURKEY TAQUITOS WITH SOUTHWESTERN DIP

Steps:

• Make the Dip and refrigerate ahead of time.
• Mix sour cream and mayonaise together in a bowl. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry spices to sour cream and mayonaise mixture stir to combine, cover & refrigerate for 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
• Taquito instructions: Heat oil in frying pan. Add one corn tortilla and fry for just a second, then turn and repeat. Place tortilla on a paper towel lined cookie sheet fitting about 6-8 per sheet. Place another papertowel over the tortillas and repeat with the rest until all are cooked. Sprinkle Salt over the tortillas as you go.
• Once all the tortillas have been lightly fried and are soft, take shredded turkey and place on tortilla in a line. Gently fold tight and place seam side down on another cookie sheet. Repeat until all the taquitos are rolled.
• Heat an electric skillet or griddle between 300-350' and oil surface generously. Place one taquito seam side down, add another right up against it and continue until you have a row across the skillet and taquitos are secure. Continue another row if you have room (I can generally cook about 25-30 at a time) Check the first taquito by rolling or using tongs to make sure seam is secure before turning. Roll taquitos left to right and let them cook 1-2 minutes, then roll again until they are secure and golden.
• Place taquitos on platter and serve with Southwestern Dip, Salsa, Guacomole, Sour Cream, heated cheese whiz or whatever you like!

RIGATONI WITH SOUTHWESTERN-STYLE GROUND-TURKEY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet cook the onion in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is softened, add the garlic, the bell pepper, the chili powder, the cumin, and the cayenne, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the turkey and cook the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring and breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the turkey is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes with the juice, breaking them up, the red pepper flakes, the chopped coriander, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it is thickened.
• While the sauce is simmering, in a kettle of boiling salted water cook the rigatoni untul it is al dente, drain it well, and divide it between 2 bowls. Divide the sauce between the bowls, sprinkle it with the Monterey Jack, and garnish each serving with a coriander sprig.