Taiwanese takeout meets the Thanksgiving table with a scented barbecue eddy for your Republic of Turkey .

Kelsey Hansen

White meat can get a spoilt rap for drying out , but we have a solution that will ensure juicy solution . This year , marinate your turkeyin the flavors of char siu , a Cantonese - manner barbeque sauce . Although it ’s traditionally used on pork , the scented - savory - umami combo is idealistic for domestic fowl as well , and the burnished crimson color ( thanks to red bean curd in the sauce ) isstunning on a phonograph recording .

Plate of char siu turkey breast garnished with oranges and bok choy

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

What Is Char Siu?

If you ’ve ever walk through a Chinatown , you may have seen slab of red char siu pork barrel hang from hooks in eating place window . The meat ( sometimes also call cha shao ) ismarinated in a saucemade with red bean curd , garlic , hoisin , soy sauce , huitre sauce , Shaoxing wine and brown sugar . The glorious color of some char siu formula comes from the ferment flushed bean curd , but occasionally restaurants adenylic acid up the tone with solid food gloss . Char siu porc is traditionally served over rice , added tostir - fry riceor noodles , or stuffed intosteamed bao buns .

Char Siu Turkey Ingredients

Here ’s what you ’ll postulate tomake the joker breastwith the barbecue marinade . If you ca n’t incur some of these in your regular grocery store , check out your local Asiatic market .

Using Whole Vs. Split Turkey Breasts

In the meat compositor’s case you’re able to find a whole bone - in breast ( also called the cap ) . It is the twofold boob of the turkey still attached to the pearl ( legs and wing absent ) . Or you may buy tear white meat ( a whole breast cut in one-half , with each dower weighing around 3 lb . ) . As with whole turkeys , bone - in white meat are available impertinent or icy .

mental test Kitchen Tip : Although you’re able to buy a boneless joker breast , we prefer bone - in because the os isolate the meat , allow it to cook slowly and remain moist .

Ingredients

1/2cupbrown sugar

3Tbspreduced - sodium soy sauce

2Tbsp.hoisin sauce

Close up shot of char siu marinate in a glass bowl with a whisk on a butcher block countertop

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

2Tbsp.oyster sauce

2Tbsp . Shaoxing wineorrice vinegar

3cloves garlic , minced

Close up shot of turkey breast marinating in a zip-top bag with char siu marinate

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

1tsp.five spiciness powder

1/2tsp.natural red-faced food coloring

1 1/2cubesfermented ruddy bean curd(optional )

2(2 1/2- to 3 - lb.)bone - in turkey breast half , hide murder

Directions

Make Marinade

In a medium bowl touch together browned sugar , soy sauce , hoisin sauce , oyster sauce , Shaoxing wine , garlic , five spice pulverization , ruddy food coloring and red bean curd cubes if using . Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade .

Marinate Turkey Breast

Place turkey knocker and the rest of the marinade in a resealable bag . Refrigerate 4 hours to overnight , wrick occasionally .

Roast Turkey

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil , place a wire rack on top . Remove turkey from the marinade , cast away remaining marinade . set turkey on the prepared conducting wire wrack . knock for 2 hour to 2 hour 30 minutes , until the chest registers 165ºF internal temperature at the duncical spot . Brush turkey with reserved 1/4 cup marinade every 30 minutes while roasting .

How to Make Char Siu Turkey Breast Ahead

Lucky for you , our Test Kitchen recommends letting the breast marinate overnight for the honorable flavor , making thisturkey breast recipea no - brainer for vacation prep . Be sure to turn the bag with the turkey breast occasionally to equally propagate the sauce over the bird .

How Long to Thaw Frozen Turkey Breast

Whether you choose whole or dissever breast , it claim 1 to 2 days tothaw in the fridge .

Nutrition Facts(per serving)

  • The % Daily Value ( DV ) tells you how much a food in a food for thought serve contributes to a daily diet . 2,000 nutritionist’s calorie a day is used for universal nutrition advice .