Bourbon and Cola Marinade ~Choosing the right marinade for your turkey is a key to the one of the flavors you add to your meal. Brining and marinating is not a requirement to cooking the best bird, but if you don’t mind the extra steps than this is a good marinade to try. Be sure it will compliment the stuffing you choose and your meal will become a real culinary delight!
For other tips on insuring the best Turkey feast see my article on Turkey Guide 101.
Bourbon and Cola Marinade
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Coca Cola
- ½ cup bourbon
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 12 to 14 pound Butterball® Fresh or Frozen Whole Turkey, thawed if frozen
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except turkey in non-reactive container large enough to hold turkey. Remove turkey from packaging; drain. Remove neck and giblets; refrigerate for another use or discard. Place turkey in marinade. Cover container. Refrigerate 6 to 8 hours, turning turkey over occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from marinade; drain; pat dry. Discard marinade. Place turkey on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan, 2 to 2-1/2-inches deep. Tuck wings back to hold neck skin in place and stabilize the turkey in the pan and when carving. Brush lightly with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray to prevent skin from drying. Insert oven-safe thermometer deep into the lower thigh muscle but not touching the bone.
- Bake 3 to 3-1/2 hours. When the turkey is about 2/3 done, cover the breast and top of thighs lightly with aluminum foil to prevent overcooking. Check for doneness about 30 minutes before end of recommended cooking time. Turkey is done when thigh reaches 180°F and juices run clear.
- Remove the turkey from the roasting pan. Let rest 15 minutes to allow juices to set before carving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
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Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
I am Marilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Follow me to my kitchen. 
Oh my, we have got to try this. Someone gave us a bottle of bourbon last Christmas and we don’t drink spirits so it’s just been packed away. Now I can finally use it 😀
I don’t drink either except every few years at New Year. I cook with it though since the alcohol cooks off and leaves a great flavor. This marinade is wxcellent! Enjoy.
Hi Marilyn,
This looks like a delicious marinade for the turkey. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday, we have really enjoyed it. Hope you have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. I am glad you liked the marinade recipe. Have a lovely week.
I bet it’s a great tenderizer! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
It is a great marinade Jann. It adds a lot of flavor to the meat. Enjoy your week!
I don’t use many marinades but I’d sure like to try this one. Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story and have a great weekend.
This is a tasty marinade and adds flavor to the turkey. Enjoy!
You always have the most delicious looking photos on your blog, Marilyn. Thanks for linking up on #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I will share on social media.
Thank you so much Christie. I appreciate your kind words. Enjoy your week.
My husband will ask me to try this glaze I’m sure! I’m thinking we’ll start with a chicken, any other meat recommendations to try it on? Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Pork is always good too. The other more exotic meats I haven’t tasted. I am really a plain type of girl when oit comes to that. I hope he enjoys it Chas. Keep in touch!!
This recipe sounds so delicious, and the turkey has such a nice colour!
Thank you the kind words Irene. I am glad you like the post. Have a lovely week.
Your marinade sounds fabulous…I pinned your recipe.
Thank you Becky! The pin is appreciated. Have a lovely week!
This sound pretty good!! I’m going to have to give it a try! Thanks for joining the What’s for Dinner party! Hope we see you every week. Have a wonderful day.
I love this marinade for a change the sweet and earthy flavors work well with the turkey. Have a lovely week!
Oh wow, we’re always on the look out for new marinades when we have a braai at home. I’ve heard that coca cola makes meats super soft, but adding the bourbon must give it such a distinctive flavor. Sharing with the hubby to try this.
You will love this one then! Let me know how it turns out. Enjoy!