Cajun Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving and Beyond

Our Cajun Turkey recipe — whether you’re brining, injecting, or making turkey wings — will set you up for a more flavorful holiday meal.

Cajun is the new flavor hit in our home — we’re putting it on everything: fries, tots, meats, veggies, you name it. My kids and I are loving the Cajun flavoring, and yours will too, especially with our new Cajun turkey recipe.

Cajun seasoning is composed primarily of cayenne pepper, and from there, people add anything from garlic and salt to thyme and chili powder. You can craft your own Cajun seasoning at home in minutes or buy it premade at various grocery stores or even on Amazon. It’s quite similar to our Spicy Seasoning Rub recipe.

Just last week, my daughter sprinkled Cajun seasoning on avocado toast and it changed my life. Is that kind of dramatic? Maybe, but here we are.

We’re called food fanatics for a reason!

It was really no surprise that the avocado toast was a perfect match. Cajun flavoring is very popular when it comes to spicing up otherwise neutral flavors, such as white fish like cod and mahi mahi, or chili, which would be bland without the spice.

And that’s why a Cajun flavor works so well on chicken and turkey.

There are so many excellent Cajun chicken recipes, from chicken and dumplings to drumsticks, which is partly why I think turkey needs some love.

Here’s our best Cajun turkey recipe, including a Cajun turkey injection how-to and a Cajun turkey brine recipe! Then, you’ll be armed with all things Cajun turkey when serving your spicy bird this holiday season (and beyond).

Pro tip: Mix up Thanksgiving with some Cajun turkey offerings to supplement your traditional turkey recipe and surprise your guests. This will go over especially well if you’re looking at serving a Southern-style Thanksgiving, as some spice will be expected. Enjoy!

Roasted Cajun Butter Turkey Recipe

What is Cajun butter turkey? It’s heaven.

Cajun butter turkey is a spicier, livelier version of the classic roasted turkey you may know and love.
Imagine having, among your standard Thanksgiving spread, a gorgeous bird that is cooked to perfection and coated with a rich and flavorful layer of mouthwatering Cajun spices.

Cajun Butter Turkey Injection Recipe Instructions:

1. Dry brine your fresh turkey with kosher salt the night before. (See our list of what to do before Thanksgiving) to prepare for the big day!) Cover your raw Thanksgiving turkey with the salt and let it sit in the fridge overnight, covered. Use 1 Tbsp salt per 5 lbs of turkey. Do not rinse off the dry brine.
2. Make your Cajun butter (see recipe below). Set aside half of the seasoned butter for later (step 6).
3. Carefully separate the turkey skin from the meat and smother half of the remaining room temperature Cajun butter under the skin onto the meat. Use a spatula and move slowly so you don’t damage or rip the skin. Use the other half of the butter on the exterior of the turkey skin.
4. Place the desired vegetables — such as carrots, onions, and celery — in the cavity of the turkey, and tie the legs with kitchen twine. Additionally, line the bottom of your large roasting pan with more vegetables of your choice and add chicken broth or white wine. Place the rack inside the roasting pan and lay the turkey on top.
5. Cook the turkey for 45 minutes at 400°F, then remove it from the oven and lower the temperature to 325 degrees.
6. Melt the remainder of the Cajun butter, and soak a cheesecloth inside. Cut the cheesecloth to fit your turkey, if necessary.
7. You will then inject the turkey with melted Cajun butter. (Here’s a great option for an injector syringe kit!) To do this properly, fill a clean meat injection syringe with the melted butter. Select about 8 spots, focusing on the thigh, breast, leg, and wing, and inject slowly until your butter is gone. This may mean you will repeat this step!
8. Lay the buttered cheesecloth over the turkey and cook for an additional hour. Keep the cheesecloth on and bask the turkey in the compound butter.
9. You will cook your turkey an additional 2-3 hours, checking the temperature every 45 minutes. Make sure the cheesecloth is snug against the turkey.
10. Remove the turkey from the oven when the thickest part of the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at the center and the juices run clear (use a meat thermometer). Allow the juicy turkey to rest on the stovetop an hour before slicing.

Now you’re ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

Remember, as a general rule, cooking time will vary, so to ensure you end up with the best turkey, relying on the internal temp is key.

Cajun Butter Recipe

You’ll need the following fresh herbs to season your butter:

• 2 lbs unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning of your choice
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp black pepper
  

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well blended. It should turn orange, thanks to the spices!

Cajun Turkey Brine Recipe

Perhaps you’re looking for a way to add some Cajun flavoring to your turkey using a brine — we’re here to help!

Brining the turkey adds moisture and flavor, which you and your guests will greatly appreciate! Cajun brining takes things a step further by adding a spicy, warm flavor to the mix.

Brine:

• 1 gallon water
• 1 cup kosher salt
• ½ cup sugar or brown sugar
• ¼ cup Creole mustard
• 4-6 cloves of minced or pressed garlic
• The juice of 1 lemon
  

Homemade Cajun Spice:

• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 4 tsp salt
• 4 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp white pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, add 1 gallon of water and the kosher salt, sugar, Creole mustard, garlic, and lemon juice. Warm over medium heat while combining your Cajun spice blend in a small bowl.
2. Add Cajun seasoning to the pot and bring to a rolling boil. Boil 1 minute or until sugar and salt are dissolved, then turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
3. When brine is room temperature, transfer it to the fridge to cool.
4. In a large 5-gallon bucket, add 1 gallon ice cold water and pour the chilled turkey brine in. Submerge turkey or turkey breast. If using a larger bird, turn halfway through the brining process.
5. Brine at minimum 1 night and at most 2 days.
6. Remove the wet brine when finished and pat the turkey with paper towels. Discard brine safely and clean your preparation area after handling to prevent illness.

Your beautiful bird is now ready to prepare! Using the recipe above will add even more delicious Cajun flavoring to your feast.

Cajun Turkey Wings Recipe

Perhaps you want to enjoy flavorful Cajun turkey but not the whole turkey. We get it — sometimes making an entire turkey is just not for you.

In that case, we present Cajun turkey wings, one of our favorite turkey recipes!

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ lbs turkey wings, cut and cleaned
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp corn starch
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp parsley
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ Tbsp basil
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp allspice
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Pat turkey wings dry using paper towels.
3. Season wings with all spices listed above and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Transfer turkey to oven-safe dish and add water.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and transfer pan to oven. Bake for 6-7 minutes.
6. Remove pan and spoon half a cup of the juice from the pan into a small bowl. Add cornstarch and whisk until uniform.
7. Pour mixture over turkey wings.
8. Cover pan with foil and return to oven. Bake for an additional hour and a half.
9. Remove from oven and remove the foil from the pan. Set oven to broil and return the pan to the oven for 5 minutes. Remove and serve!

Did you know — you can also spatchcock and smoke turkeys! It’s a great way to add even more flavor to the meal.

We recommend serving a Thanksgiving veggie tray as part of your holiday table to bring some variety to your options, too! This recipe will also pair well with some sweet Southern cornbread to keep you on theme.

Related: Learn how to marinate your turkey.