Best Turkey Pear Skillet Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED TURKEY BREAST STUFFED WITH PEAR HASH

Steps:

• Begin by making the brine:
• In a large container, combine all the ingredients and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Put the turkey breasts in the brine, making sure they are completely covered. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
• To make the turkey:
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, sage, thyme, chili flakes, and a pinch of salt; saute for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-high. Add the pears, spreading out in a single layer. Let sit untouched for 2 minutes to brown slightly. Toss, saute 1 minute more, then remove from heat. Transfer the pear mixture to a bowl and add the walnuts, bread crumbs and chicken stock. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside to cool.
• Remove the turkey breasts from brine and pat dry. Butterfly the turkey by slicing the breasts into even halves on the horizontal, leaving about 1/2-inch, uncut at 1 edge so the breasts can open like a book. Season all over with salt and pepper, to taste. Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean cutting board. Put 3 slices of bacon parallel, about 1-inch apart on top of the plastic. Arrange 1 of the open turkey breasts, cut side up, lengthwise on top of the bacon. Scoop half of the stuffing onto 1 half of the turkey breast, fold over the other half, then roll the bacon around it tightly. Make sure the bacon strips lay flat against the turkey. Sprinkle the outside of the bacon with a little paprika. Wrap tightly in the plastic wrap twisting the ends to really seal in the breast to keep its shape. Repeat with remaining bacon, turkey, and stuffing. Transfer the breasts to a sheet tray and rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the turkey breasts from refrigerator 1/2 hour before you plan to cook them. Discard the plastic wrap and using 3 pieces of butcher's twine, tie the twine over the center of the 3 bacon strips to secure the breasts when searing. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Add 1 of the turkey breasts, seam side down, into the skillet and sear until the bacon is slightly crisp and the turkey is lightly browned, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the turkey breast to a baking sheet lined with a rack. Sear the remaining turkey breast, using 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and add it to the baking sheet. Put the baking sheet into the oven and bake until the turkey is cooked through and the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 60 minutes. Remove the turkey from the oven to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Cut away the butcher's twine, slice crosswise, arrange on a serving platter and serve.

PEAR STUFFING FOR TURKEY

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and celery over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in the bread crumbs, pears, broth, salt, pepper and sage. , Just before baking, loosely stuff turkey with stuffing. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan., Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in center of stuffing and the thigh reaches at least 170°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.), Cover turkey and let stand for 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving turkey. If desired, thicken pan drippings for gravy.

ROASTED FREE-RANGE TURKEY WITH PEAR AND CHESTNUT STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. To make the stuffing, in a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add celery and onions; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons thyme, and sage, parsley, chestnuts, and bread. Add stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until bread becomes moist. Stir in pears; remove from heat.
• Place remaining 1 stick butter, remaining 2 tablespoons thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt in food processor. Pulse until well combined; set aside.
• Wash turkey, and pat dry. Place, breast side up, on a roasting rack set in a large roasting pan. Season turkey cavity with remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Fill cavity loosely with stuffing. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Fold neck flap over; secure with skewers. Rub thyme-butter mixture all over turkey.
• Roast for 2 1/2 hours, basting often. Continue baking 30 to 45 minutes more, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 180 degrees. If turkey becomes too brown, tent it with aluminum foil. Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

TURKEY CUTLETS WITH BALSAMIC PEARS

Steps:

• Season turkey with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high. Add turkey and cook until cooked through, about 2 minutes per side, flipping once. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add shallots, garlic, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots begin to soften, 6 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, and mustard. Add pears to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 4 minutes. Add broth mixture; cover and cook 5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pears are tender and liquid is almost evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Return turkey to skillet, along with any juices. Add thyme, toss to combine, and serve.