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Mariners executive chef Javier Rosa's best Thanksgiving turkey tips

Chef Javier dishes up his secrets to cooking the best turkey of your life. Here's a hint, it involves a liberal slathering of mayonnaise. #newdaynw

SEATTLE — If you're still trying to decide how to make your turkey this week, you're in luck!

The Mariners' executive chef Javier Rosa knows how to cook a mean turkey and he joined the show to share his best kept turkey secrets! 

Make the chipotle mayonnaise

You didn't think we'd ask you to just put straight mayo on this turkey, did you? Chef Rosa chops up one tablespoon of fresh thyme and adds it to a mixing bowl, along with one cup of mayonnaise and lemon zest. Zest the whole lemon directly into the bowl and then quarter it and save the pieces for later. After that, grate in three garlic cloves. The real kick comes from the minced chipotle chiles.

Loosen the skin

You want to put the mayo on the outside and inside of the turkey, so it gets extra juicy. To prep it, Chef Rosa carefully slides his fingers between the skin and the turkey breast to loosen it — then, he repeats with the thighs. This step is crucial and helps get the mayonnaise under the skin.

Fold the wing tips…

Fold the wing tips back so that you can get as much heat around the turkey as possible.

… and start slathering on that mayo

Take a teaspoon, scoop up some mayo, and put it under the skin right above the breast. With a twist, scoop it off the spoon so it stays under the skin, and then use your fingers (on top of the skin) to help spread it out. Do the same thing on the other side and spread some mayo on the inside of the bird as well. Then, take the remaining mayo and spread it all over the outside, coating the turkey.

Season it

After the turkey is all mayo’d up, Chef Rosa seasons it all over with flaky sea salt and black pepper. You want to season the meat as evenly as possible, so he recommends using your other hand and placing it at an angle to help place the salt and pepper on hard-to-reach places.

Stuff it

Then, take the lemon quarters and a whole head of garlic — cut in half cross-wise — and stuff them right into the turkey. After that, tie the legs together with twine. This helps the meat to cook more evenly.

Roast it

Take the seasoned turkey and transfer it to a large roasting pan with a rack in it. Roast it in a 425-degree oven for 30 minutes, and then, drop the temperature down to 350 degrees and cook the turkey for about another hour and 15 minutes.

Keep aluminum foil handy

If the turkey browns too quickly, don't panic — just grab aluminum foil and tent it over the top.

Let it sit

The turkey is ready to come out of the oven once a thermometer inserted in the inner thigh reaches 165 degrees. Then, let it rest for 30 minutes. The end result should be golden and crispy.

Get it on a platter

Because the meat is flavored with chipotle and thyme, Chef Rosa likes to garnish the turkey with hot peppers, lemon thyme, and some garlic heads on the platter for a gorgeous table-ready presentation. Then, all that's left to do is carve and enjoy.

Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day

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