While this hearty poultry makes for a great club sandwich, savory soup or even meatballs, turkey no doubt shines brightest as the centerpiece of a festive Thanksgiving feast with family and friends.
The internet serves as a great resource for a myriad of delicious turkey recipes. Nevertheless, you may be asking yourself, “What wine goes with turkey ?” In fact, the answer to this question depends – as with all food – on the cooking techniques used to prepare the ingredient and on the form it takes on your table. For example, while a bright and mineral white wine will go well with lemon and garlic turkey, a bolder, spicier red wine may taste better with a smoked turkey, for example. To help you choose the right wine for your favorite turkey dishes, we have put together a guide with different styles and the turkey preparations with which to enjoy them.
Cooking turkey can be tricky, but the right wine makes all the difference. Wine adds incredible depth of flavor and helps keep the turkey moist and juicy. But with so many wine options available how do you choose the best one for cooking turkey? This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know about selecting and using wine when cooking turkey.
Why Use Wine When Cooking Turkey?
Using wine to cook turkey offers several benefits
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Tenderizes – The alcohol breaks down proteins, making the turkey more tender and moist.
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Adds flavor – Wine integrates its own complex aromas and flavors into the turkey.
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Enhances browning – Wine promotes caramelization and browning of the skin
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Provides moisture – Wine keeps the turkey from drying out during roasting or braising.
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Makes savory sauce – Deglazing the pan with wine creates an incredible sauce.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cooking Wine
With so many wine options on the market, it can get overwhelming deciding which is best for cooking turkey. Keep these factors in mind:
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Varietal – Select a wine variety that pairs well with turkey. Avoid highly acidic or tannic wines.
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Body – Medium to full-bodied wines work best to stand up to turkey’s richness.
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Sweetness – Off-dry to dry wines are preferred. Super sweet wines overwhelm turkey flavor.
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Quality – No need for the most expensive, but avoid the cheapest cooking wines.
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Your taste – Pick a wine you enjoy drinking so you can use leftovers.
Recommended Wine Varietals for Cooking Turkey
White Wines
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Chardonnay – A dry, oak-aged Chardonnay adds richness.
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Sauvignon Blanc – The crisp acidity balances the fattiness of turkey.
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Pinot Grigio – Light, dry, and fruity Pinot Grigio provides brightness.
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Riesling – An off-dry Riesling complements turkey nicely.
Red Wines
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Pinot Noir – Elegant cherry and spice notes without harsh tannins.
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Merlot – Plummy Merlot brings smooth richness.
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Zinfandel – Jammy, moderate-tannin Zins work well.
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Cabernet – Full-bodied Cab adds robust flavor when used sparingly.
Fortified & Sweet Wines
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Port – Deep, complex sweet Port adds ripe fruit flavor.
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Sherry – Nutty oxidized Sherry provides rich depth.
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Marsala – Sweet Sicilian wine that brings caramel notes.
Sparkling Wines
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Champagne – Effervescent with citrus and brioche notes.
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Prosecco – Light and fruity Italian sparkling wine.
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Cava – Dry Spanish bubbles lend freshness.
How Much Wine is Needed?
As a general guideline, use about 1 cup of wine per 5 pounds of turkey. For a 15-pound turkey, you’ll need about 3 cups of wine total. If roasting, use half the wine for a marinade and the other half for basting during cooking. For braising or poaching, add all the wine at once.
When to Add Cooking Wine to Turkey
There are several techniques for incorporating wine into turkey:
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Marinating: Soak raw turkey in wine overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
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Braising: Brown turkey then braise in wine on low heat for tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
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Poaching: Gently simmer turkey in wine, broth, and aromatics until just cooked through.
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Basting: Frequently brush wine over the turkey as it roasts to add moisture and color.
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Pan sauce: After roasting, use wine to deglaze the pan and make an incredible sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cooking turkey with wine is simple with a few pointers:
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Don’t use poor quality wine – stick to a drinking-quality wine.
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Add wine early so it has time to permeate the meat.
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Avoid adding too much wine, which can make turkey taste sour.
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Let turkey rest before carving so juices redistribute evenly.
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Use a meat thermometer and don’t overcook.
Tips for Choosing and Using Wine with Turkey
Follow these tips for success:
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For white meat, pick a lighter white wine. For dark meat, go with a fuller red.
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Herby varieties like Sauvignon Blanc pair well with rosemary, thyme.
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Sweeter wines complement sage, maple syrup, orange flavors.
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Add whole peppercorns, onions, herbs to wine to infuse flavors.
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Splash wine in the gravy or use reduced wine drippings as the base.
Cooking Turkey with Wine Adds Flavor and Moisture
Picking the right wine to cook turkey may seem challenging, but this guide outlines the best wine varieties, amounts, and uses. With the proper techniques, wine-cooked turkey turns out incredibly juicy, tender and full of flavor. Follow these tips for your best turkey yet!
TOP WHITE WINES TO PAIR WITH TURKEY
To choose the perfect white wine to pair with your turkey recipe, consider carefully the preparation method and style of your dish. A classic roast turkey seasoned with herbs, for example, will go nicely with the herbaceous notes and dry minerality of Bordeaux white wines, typically a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Meanwhile, a richer dish, like a succulent turkey breast slathered in a creamy mushroom sauce, will need something with more body, like an aged Chardonnay from Burgundy. For a delicate dish like a turkey and orzo soup, try a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley or South Africa whose, bright floral aromas will add freshness and nuance to this dish. And finally, Riesling is known as one of the most food-friendly white grape varieties, available in a wide range of styles from bone-dry to sweet. A dry Riesling from Alsace has enough acidity to stand up to the richest dishes, like the crispy skin of a fried turkey. Or, try an off-dry or semi-sweet Riesling, like a Spätlese from Germany for example. Still boasting a very high acidity, these slightly sweet wines are proven to pair best with spicier dishes, like a Cajun spiced turkey or turkey in curry sauce.
TOP SPARKLING WINES TO PAIR WITH TURKEY
Due to its high natural acidity and refreshing effervescence, sparkling wine is perhaps the most versatile food pairing wine. Despite the common misconception that they go well only with oysters and caviar, sparkling wines – such as Prosecco, Champagne, Vouvray or Cava – actually match a very wide range of food choices, including a myriad of turkey dishes. They will successfully cut through salty and fatty turkey preparations, like fried turkey with turkey gravy or savory turkey sausage.
Roasted Turkey Cooked with Wine & Herbs Recipe
FAQ
What wine is best for cooking turkey?
Any dry white will do, such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc. Adam Dolge is an award-winning journalist, writer and recipe developer.Apr 18, 2024
What kind of white wine do you use for turkey?
White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are excellent choices to accompany your turkey dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a light and citrusy wine that compliments turkey well, as it doesn’t overpower the dish’s flavor. Chardonnay is a more robust white wine featuring notes of vanilla and butter.
What is best for cooking wine?
Common reds to cook with are Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, or Pinot noir. Common whites would be Sauvignon blanc or Chardonnay.
How do you add wine to a turkey?
Place the turkey into a large, deep roasting tray and pour in the water and the wine. Cover well but loosely with foil and place into the centre of the pre-heated oven. Cook turkeys less than 4kg for 20 minutes per kilo, plus 70 minutes. Cook turkeys more than 4kg for 20 minutes per kilo plus 90 minutes.