{"id":9780,"date":"2014-11-17T13:11:59","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T13:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/?p=9780"},"modified":"2026-10-25T00:17:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T00:17:59","slug":"roasted-turkey-with-a-lebanese-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/roasted-turkey-with-a-lebanese-twist\/","title":{"rendered":"Roasted Turkey with a Lebanese Twist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy Thanksgiving! My Family\u2019s Traditional Roast Turkey Recipe<\/h2>\n

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers in North America! We usually serve turkey when hosting a big dinner party, as it is the centerpiece of a satisfying family dinner or holiday table. Everyone has their favorite way of roasting a turkey, but this recipe holds a special place in my heart because it has been passed down from my grandmother to my mother and eventually to me.<\/p>\n

My family\u2019s traditional roast turkey recipe uses a simple yet flavorful rub of salt and Lebanese seven spice, giving the turkey a wonderful aroma and delicious flavor. I loosely cover the turkey with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil to control the browning and help keep the bird moist as it roasts.<\/p>\n

Lebanese seven spice, also known as baharat<\/em>, is a fragrant Middle Eastern spice blend that typically contains ground black and white pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and coriander. If you don’t have Lebanese seven spice on hand, don’t worry! You can simply substitute allspice for a deliciously seasoned roast turkey.<\/p>\n

\"Lebanese<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How do you get a golden brown color on the turkey?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For beautifully browned turkey skin, pat the turkey thoroughly dry after brining. Roasting it uncovered toward the end of cooking helps the skin develop a golden-brown finish. Brushing the skin with a mixture of tomato paste and canola oil, as in this Lebanese roast turkey recipe, adds color and flavor.<\/p>\n

How long should you brine a turkey?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For this recipe, brine the turkey for 20 hours in a mixture of water, salt, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks. Keep the turkey refrigerated at or below 4\u00b0C \/ 40\u00b0F throughout the brining process. If you are using a store-bought turkey that is already brined or labeled as containing a salt solution, check the packaging before adding more salt.<\/p>\n

What is traditional Lebanese turkey stuffing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unlike Western stuffing recipes, a traditional Lebanese holiday turkey is filled after roasting with a classic spiced rice called “totbeea.” This flavorful rice is cooked with seasoned ground meat to provide an authentic Middle Eastern flair.<\/p>\n

What is the safest way to thaw a frozen turkey?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To safely defrost your turkey, place it completely inside the refrigerator for a full 2 days. For the best cooking results, it is crucial to pull the thawed bird out of the refrigerator exactly 2 hours before it goes into the oven to bring it to room temperature.<\/p>\n

What steps are required to prepare the turkey cavity before roasting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You must reach inside the cavity to remove both the neck and the separate giblet bag. Once the cavity is completely cleared out, pull the turkey legs close to the body and tie them securely together using clean kitchen twine.<\/p>\n

More Lebanese Chicken Recipes to Try<\/h2>\n
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