I celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Dallas, Texas in 1987. I felt honored to have dinner with our sponsors as my parents, sister, and I celebrated our first year of residency in the US. I remember it as a time of family, full bellies, and thankfulness for our new life in America, even though I was only five years old.
Growing up, Thanksgiving was the biggest holiday, after Eid, in my household. It embodied everything my parents believed in, good food, togetherness, and gratitude.
One thing has changed since our first celebration, my mother now eats only Halal meats. Which means I’ve had to master making a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked Halal Turkey. If you don’t live in a place where Halal turkeys are available, many Islamic scholars believe that Kosher meat is Halal.
Because some varieties, such as store-bought and kosher varieties, are not salted or injected with salt, brine is essential for Halal turkeys. My favorite brine recipe is from Alton Brown (Food Network).
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and of course delicious food. But for those who follow Islamic dietary guidelines, finding a halal turkey can be a challenge. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This comprehensive guide will answer all your questions about halal turkey, from what it is to where to find it and how to cook it.
What is Halal Turkey?
The word “halal” means “permissible” in Arabic. When referring to food, it means that it has been prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines. These rules are derived from the Quran and the Sunnah, which are the sayings and customs of the Prophet Muhammad.
For a turkey to be considered halal, it must be slaughtered in a specific way. The animal must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter, and the blood must be drained from the body. The slaughter must also be done by a Muslim who recites a prayer.
Where to Find Halal Turkey
Finding halal turkey can be a bit more challenging than finding a traditional turkey. However, it’s becoming increasingly available, especially in major cities with large Muslim populations Here are a few places you can look:
- Halal butcher shops: These shops specialize in selling halal meat, including turkey.
- Middle Eastern grocery stores: Many Middle Eastern grocery stores carry halal turkey, especially during the Thanksgiving season.
- Online retailers: Several online retailers sell halal turkey, including Amazon and Instacart.
- Your local mosque: Some mosques may also sell halal turkey, especially during the holidays.
How to Cook Halal Turkey
Cooking a halal turkey is no different than cooking a traditional turkey. You can follow the recipe in the Islamimommy blog post, or you can use any recipe you like. Just be sure to use halal ingredients, such as halal broth and butter.
Tips for Cooking Halal Turkey
Here are a few tips for cooking halal turkey:
- Brine the turkey: Brining helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful. You can use a simple brine made with water, salt, and sugar.
- Stuff the turkey: Stuffing is a traditional Thanksgiving dish, and it can also be made with halal ingredients. Just be sure to cook the stuffing thoroughly before serving.
- Baste the turkey: Basting the turkey with butter or oil will help to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.
- Let the turkey rest: After the turkey is cooked, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Additional Resources
- Islamimommy blog post: This blog post provides a detailed recipe for cooking a halal turkey.
- The Spruce Eats article: This article provides more information about halal turkey, including where to find it and how to cook it.
With a little planning, you can easily enjoy a delicious and halal Thanksgiving feast. Just be sure to follow the tips above and use halal ingredients. Happy Thanksgiving!
Juicy Halal Turkey Recipe
1 Turkey (12-15 lbs) – Whole turkey neck and giblets removed.
Equal parts Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme (2 tablespoons each) (optional: make Alton Brown’s compound butter)
Lemon Pepper (1 tablespoon)
Aromatics for inside the bird (1 onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 orange, 1 carrot)
Special Juicey Juice (3 cups Gingerale and 2 cups halal chicken broth or vegetable broth)
- 3 days prior thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. The amount of time varies according to the size of your turkey. Because halal turkey isn’t salted in advance, it will stay juicy while cooking, so it must be brined 24 hours in advance. Use Alton Brown’s Method. Three to four hours before you want to serve the turkey, begin the preparations. Combine the parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the herb mixture into the cavity of the turkey. You can make compound butter by mixing one pound of butter with your herbs, but it’s not necessary. Use Alton Brown’s recipe. Slice the celery, orange, onion, and carrot. After combining the materials, pack as much of them as you can inside the bird’s cavity. Truss the turkey. There are great tutorials on Youtube. Place the turkey into the roasting pan. I usually place the turkey lifter rack in first when using one. It makes getting the turkey out seamless. Carefully pour the chicken broth and ginger ale over the turkey to ensure some gets inside its cavity. Cover the top of your turkey with a heavy-duty aluminum foil dome. Ensure that the foil does not come into contact with the skin or legs. Bake the turkey in a preheated oven for two and a half to three hours, or until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink around the edges. Remove the turkey’s cover and continue baking it for another 30 to 60 minutes, or until the skin is nicely browned. 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) should be displayed on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone. You can double check your turkey cooking time here. After removing the turkey from the oven, cover it with a doubled-over piece of aluminum foil and allow it to rest in a warm location for ten to fifteen minutes before carving.
(Left: Deep fried turkey, Right: Halal turkey recipe)
The main ingredients of our meal are mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries (infused with ginger), stuffing, bread rolls, and roasted vegetables. In recent years I inherited a cousin-in-law that makes a killer pumpkin cheesecake.
This recipe pairs well with my slow-cooked Spiced Apple Cider recipe!
If you want to recreate my tablescape, the Bismillah placemats can be found here.
11/2021 Update: As an adult, I recognize that the narratives I accepted about Thanksgiving as a child were one-sided. For more on how we celebrate the holiday now: Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: A Native Perspective On Thanksgiving.
Photography Credits: Farina Kazi, Natasha Kazi
Salam! I’m Natasha, a children’s author, illustrator, and digital content creator. I created IslamiMommy to share the arts & crafts that bring joy to my family.
Purchase Moon’s Ramadan, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
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Making Halal Turkey | The Bumblebee Family #halalturkey
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