This holiday season, baking a turkey with a mayo rub is our secret weapon; it’s really the best way to cook a turkey in the oven.
We’ve been developing recipes using the delicious meat and seafood from Omaha Steaks over the past year.
A perfect 10-pound Whole Basted Turkey was sent right to our door, so we didn’t have to deal with the crowds at the store. It came with a pop-up timer and a cooking bag in case you want to roast it in the bag.
Every year, we buy a bigger turkey than we need because we love having a lot of turkey left over for our famous Leftover Turkey Mini Pot Pie Recipe and our Leftover Thanksgiving Soup (with homemade Leftover Stuffing Dumplings!).
For the holiday, you can also order a lot of tasty sides and pies from Omaha Steaks.
This turkey was already basted with honey and brown sugar seasoning, and it complimented the mayonnaise rub well.
Putting mayo on turkey before roasting might seem really strange, but it’s the best way to keep the meat warm.
The mayonnaise rub is made of chopped fresh herbs and seasonings. The thick consistency helps the herbs stick to the bird.
Nope. It does not taste like mayonnaise. You’ll just get juicy, moist turkey will an incredibly crispy brown skin.
We were a little skeptical since there were some browned mayo droppings at the bottom of the pan.
Turkey and mayonnaise might not seem like an obvious flavor pairing at first glance. But using mayo with turkey can give some fantastic results in terms of moisture, browning, and added flavor So don’t knock it till you try it! Mayo and turkey complement each other wonderfully in a variety of dishes.
Popular Ways to Enjoy Mayo with Turkey
There are so many creative ways to incorporate mayo into turkey recipes
As a Marinade or Basting Sauce
Slathering turkey with mayo before roasting keeps it incredibly moist and tender. The mayo bastes the turkey from the inside out during cooking. It also promotes beautiful browning.
In Sandwiches
A smear of mayo perfectly balances out turkey sandwiches made with sliced roasted turkey or deli meat. Try turkey and Swiss, BLTs, or club sandwiches with mayo.
As a Dip
Plain mayo or flavored aiolis make delicious dips for snacking on turkey. Garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, and herb mayo pair especially well with turkey.
In Casseroles
Stirring mayo into turkey casseroles like enchiladas, rice bakes, or noodle dishes adds a creamy tanginess. The mayo also helps bind all the ingredients together.
As a Salad Topping
Creamy turkey salad made with diced turkey, veggies, and mayo is a classic protein-packed topping for salads and sandwiches.
In Stuffing and Dressing
Mayo adds moisture and flavor when mixed into stuffing and dressing recipes containing celery, onions, herbs, broth, etc.
Cooking Methods that Work Well with Mayo
Certain cooking techniques like roasting, grilling, and smoking turkey really shine when the meat is coated in mayo:
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Roasting – Mayo keeps roasted turkey incredibly moist and promotes crispy, browned skin.
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Grilling – Mayo prevents grilled turkey from drying out quickly and adds flavor.
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Smoking – Mayo helps form that pink smoke ring and infuses smoky flavor into turkey.
Helpful Tips for Using Mayo with Turkey
Follow these tips to successfully pair mayo with turkey:
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Use real mayonnaise, not low-fat dressings, for the best moisture and flavor.
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Mix spices, herbs, mustard, or hot sauce into the mayo for extra flavor.
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Use moderate heat when cooking mayo-coated turkey to avoid burning.
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Let roasted or grilled turkey rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
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Undercook turkey slightly if adding to dishes that will be served later.
The Benefits of Enjoying Mayo with Turkey
Turkey paired with mayonnaise offers several advantages:
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Adds Moisture – Mayonnaise keeps turkey remarkably juicy when roasting and grilling.
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Promotes Browning – Mayo speeds up the Maillard reaction for lovely browned turkey skin.
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Boosts Flavor – Tart mayo and lemon cut through the richness of turkey.
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Improves Texture – Mayo helps make turkey juicy with some pleasant chewiness.
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Simplifies Cooking – Mayo doubles as both a marinade and basting sauce for easy roasting.
Recipes to Try Pairing Mayo with Turkey
Here are some delicious recipes that showcase how well mayo complements turkey:
- Mayonnaise Herb Roasted Turkey
- Grilled Turkey Breast with Jalapeño Mayo
- Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwiches with Avocado Mayo
- Curried Turkey Salad Wraps
- Turkey Vegetable Casserole with Creamy Mayo Topping
- Chipotle Mayo Turkey Burgers
- BLT Turkey Salad Wraps
Don’t save mayo just for cold deli sandwiches. Try one of these tasty recipes to enjoy mayo and turkey together hot off the grill, smoker, or oven!
Frequently Asked Questions about Mayo with Turkey
Does mayo make turkey taste like mayonnaise?
No, when roasting a turkey coated in mayo, the mayo flavor cooks off. It leaves behind only moisture, browning, and subtle flavor without making the turkey taste like a sandwich.
Can you use low-fat mayo instead of regular mayo on turkey?
It’s best to use regular full-fat mayonnaise, not low-fat dressings. The higher oil content of real mayo provides the most moisture and flavor.
What are the risks of using mayo with turkey?
Mayo-coated turkey can burn easier under very high heat. As long as you use a moderate temperature when roasting or grilling, the mayo works beautifully.
What kind of mayo is best for turkey – homemade or store-bought?
Feel free to use either homemade or store-bought mayo with turkey. Just look for products made with real mayonnaise containing egg yolks and oil.
Does turkey need to be cooked to a different temperature when using mayo?
No, cook turkey coated with mayo to the same safe internal temperature you normally would. Mayo helps retain moisture, but does not impact required cooking temp.
Take Your Turkey to the Next Level with Mayo
While mayo and turkey may seem an unlikely pairing at first, the tangy creaminess of mayonnaise complements and brings out the best in turkey. Use mayo to keep your turkey remarkably moist and flavorful. Try marinating, basting, roasting, grilling, or smoking turkey with a coating of mayo for delicious results. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Mayonnaise Roasted TurkeyYield:
Our recipe for Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey is the best way to make sure your turkey stays juicy. The mayo keeps the meat warm and helps the herbs stick to the skin.
- Whole Turkey
- 1 ½ cups of Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme, stems removed
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ensure your turkey is fully thawed before you begin.
- Then preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
- First, use paper towels to dry the turkey, and then season it with a lot of salt and pepper. Add the herbs, salt, and pepper to a small bowl and mix them together.
- Put the sweet onion, garlic, celery, and lemon inside your turkey.
- Generously baste your turkey with the mayo rub.
- The first 20 minutes of cooking your turkey should be at 450 degrees. After that, lower the heat to 350 degrees and cook the meat until a meat thermometer stuck in the thigh or breast reads 165 degrees.
- This is a great meat thermometer to buy if you don’t already have one because you can check the temperature while the meat is still in the oven. It will keep the turkey at the right temperature without adding extra time or trouble to the cooking process. See the wireless meat thermometer that we and tens of thousands of other cooks praise.
- Roasting a turkey will take 2. 5 to 3. 5 hours, depending on the size of your bird. If the outside of the turkey starts to brown too quickly, cover the parts you don’t want to brown with tinfoil. For us, this was the wings and the legs.
- Once your turkey reaches 165 degrees. Take it out of the oven and let the meat rest while you make the gravy.
- When you’re done roasting your turkey with mayonnaise, mix a few tablespoons of flour with chicken stock and whisk it into the pan juices. This will make gravy.
- Add one or two more cups of chicken stock and stir the mixture over medium-low heat until it starts to simmer. Once the gravy reaches your desired thickness, it is done.
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How to Make a Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey
Ingredients:
- Whole Turkey
- 1 ½ cups of Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme, stems removed
- Salt
- Pepper
Ensure your turkey is fully thawed before you begin.
Then preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
Start by drying your turkey with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Stuff your turkey with the sweet onion, garlic, celery, and lemon.
Generously baste your turkey with the mayo rub.
Cook your turkey for at 450 degrees for the first 20 minutes.
Then lower the heat to 350 degrees and cook the meat until a meat thermometer stuck in the thigh or breast reads 165 degrees.
This is a great meat thermometer to buy if you don’t already have one because you can check the temperature while the meat is still in the oven.
So you won’t have to keep opening the oven door to keep the turkey at the right temperature. This will save you time and trouble.
Check out the wireless meat thermometer that we (and thousands of other cooks) recommend.
Roasting a turkey will take 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the size of your bird.
Put tinfoil over the parts of the turkey you don’t want to brown if the outside starts to get too brown.
For us, this was the wings and the legs.
Once your turkey reaches 165 degrees. Remove it from the oven to let the meat rest while you prepare your gravy.
When you’re done roasting your turkey with mayonnaise, mix a few tablespoons of flour with chicken stock and whisk it into the pan juices. This will make gravy.
Add an additional cup or two of chicken stock and whisk the mixture over medium-low heat to simmer. Once the gravy reaches your desired thickness, it is done.
