I love this cherry jalapeno glazed turkey! The glaze gets sticky and caramelized on the outsides and it’s got a slightly spicy and sweet vibe going on with it, its delicious!
This recipe calls for cherry jam but it can also be made using cranberry sauce instead of cherry jam if desired.
Preferred method for cooking this turkey?
This recipe can be oven baked, grilled or smoked. The flavors in this recipe will take on a smokier flavor and change slightly if this is grilled or smoked but overall the recipe will taste the same regardless of the cooking method used.
To brine or not to brine?
I would recommend brining your turkey before cooking it. I personally think it makes a big difference on how tender, juicy and flavorful the meat ends up being.
Here are my turkey brine recipes:
Smoked Turkey Brine
Herb Turkey Brine
What you need to make this cherry jalapeno glazed turkey: (printable recipe card is below)
Makes 1 turkey
- 1/2 cup salted butter – softened
- salt*
- black pepper*
- chili powder*
*eyeball the amount used for the size of bird you have
Cherry or Cranberry Jalapeno Glaze:
- 4 jalapenos – seeds removed for a mild spice or left in for a hot spice, minced
- 1 cup cherry jam or cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- After turkey has been brined, then pat dry and loosen the skin on the turkey breasts.
- Take your softened butter and pack it under the skin of the turkey breast.
- Generously sprinkle your turkey with salt, black pepper, paprika and chili powder.
- Cook turkey for recommended time for the size of bird you have, about 13 minutes per pound.
- When turkey is just about done, prepare your cherry or cranberry jalapeno glaze by adding all of the ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Stir while you bring mixture to a simmer and cook until the sugar melts. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth glaze or keep chunky if desired.
- Pour hot glaze over your turkey.
- Increase the heat on your oven, grill or smoker to 475 F. and finish cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the glaze begins to caramelize, re-adding the glaze to the top of turkey if it starts to run off the sides.
- Remove turkey from oven, grill or smoker, rest so juices can recirculate then serve.
Cherry Jalapeno Glazed Turkey
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter – softened
- salt
- black pepper
- chili powder
- 4 jalapenos – seeds removed or a mild spice or left in or a hot spice minced
- 1 cup cherry jam or cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- After turkey has been brined, pat dry and loosen the skin on the turkey breasts.
- Take your softened butter and pack it under the skin of the turkey breast.
- Generously sprinkle your turkey with salt, black pepper, paprika and chili powder.
- Cook turkey for recommended time for the size of bird you have, about 13 minutes per pound.
- When turkey is just about done, prepare your cherry or cranberry jalapeno glaze by adding all of the ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Stir while you bring mixture to a simmer and cook until the sugar melts. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth glaze or keep chunky if desired.
- Pour hot glaze over your turkey.
- Increase the heat on your oven, grill or smoker to 475 F. and finish cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the glaze begins to caramelize, re-adding the glaze to the top of turkey if it starts to run off the sides.
- Remove turkey from oven, grill or smoker, rest so juices can recirculate then serve.