Stuffed Turkey Breast with Ham and Apples — Homemade Christmas Recipe

Versión en Español

Stuffed roast turkey breast is turkey breast butterflied, marinated with oil, sugar, oregano, coriander, and onion powder, filled with a cooked mixture of apples, ham, garlic, onion, rum, and broth, rolled, roasted under foil, and served with a sauce made from its juices. It takes 60 minutes of preparation and about 50 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.

It is a traditional Christmas dish in Chile and a perfect alternative to a whole stuffed turkey for a simpler dinner for fewer people.

How to Make Stuffed Turkey Breast?

The breasts are butterflied and marinated, while apples, ham, garlic, and onion are simmered with water, rum, and broth to make the filling. Each breast is filled, rolled, wrapped in foil, and roasted at 220°C (428°F), then uncovered to brown, and the juices are thickened with butter and flour for the sauce.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of stuffed turkey breast contains approximately 420 kcal, 40 g of protein, 17 g of fat (6 g of saturated fat), 90 mg of cholesterol, 25 g of carbohydrates, 12 g of sugars, 4 g of fiber, and 700 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

Homemade Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe

Preparation: 60 minutes
Cooking: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 turkey breasts
• 120 ml (½ cup) of water
• 75 ml (⅓ cup) of white rum
• 70 ml (¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons) of chicken broth
• 60 g of chopped ham
• 30 g (¼ cup) of flour
• 2 apples, peeled and sliced
• ½ green apple, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• ½ onion, chopped
• Olive oil
• Dried oregano
• Ground coriander
• Fine salt
• Black pepper

Instructions

1. Pat the turkey breasts dry with paper towels, lay them on a cutting board, press gently, and open them carefully into a butterfly with a very sharp knife. In a bowl, mix olive oil, the sugar, oregano, ground coriander, and onion powder, and season with salt and pepper.

2. Rub the mixture over both sides of the breasts and let them rest in it, covered with plastic wrap, for about 15 minutes in the fridge. In a medium pot, combine the sliced apples, the chopped green apple, the chopped garlic and onion, the ham, the water, the rum, and the chicken broth, bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring, and let cool to room temperature.

3. Preheat the oven to 220°C (428°F) for at least 10 minutes. Lay the opened breasts on a baking tray, fill each with half the stuffing, roll them up firmly by hand, secure with toothpicks or kitchen string if needed, and cover with aluminum foil. Roast for about 40 minutes.
4. Remove the foil and roast for 5 more minutes until golden. Pour the cooking juices into a small pot, bring to a boil, add the butter and sifted flour, and stir until smooth. Serve the stuffed turkey on the sauce, with potatoes, carrots, or steamed broccoli.

Additional Tips

Marinate overnight

Marinating the breasts the night before lets the meat absorb more flavor and stay more tender in the oven.

Check the temperature

The center of the roll should reach at least 74°C (165°F) for safe cooking without drying out. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

Tie the roll

Besides toothpicks, kitchen string keeps even pressure on the roll so the apple and ham filling stays compact in the center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I replace the white rum?

Yes, with natural apple juice or more chicken broth. The rum adds a sweet note, but apple juice keeps the harmony with the filling.

2. How do I keep the stuffing from falling out?

Besides toothpicks, tie the roll with kitchen string to keep it compact.

3. Which apple is best for baking?

Green Granny Smith apples are ideal, since their acidity balances the richness and their firm texture holds up in the oven.

4. Should I wash the turkey before cooking?

Food safety agencies recommend not washing raw poultry to avoid cross contamination. Pat it dry with paper towels instead so the marinade sticks.

5. Can I prepare the roll ahead?

Yes, you can fill and roll the turkey the night before and keep it in the fridge, which also lets the flavors develop.

Turkey at Christmas in Chile

Roast turkey has become a Christmas classic in Chile alongside pan de pascua and cola de mono. A stuffed breast offers the same festive flavors in a smaller, faster format.

Benefits of Turkey

Turkey is low in fat and high in lean protein, and it is a good source of vitamin B12 and zinc.

Did You Know?

The turkey was domesticated in Mexico more than two thousand years ago, and the Spanish took it to Europe in the sixteenth century, where it soon became a festive dish.

Recommended

• Chilean Turkey Cazuela Recipe
• Chilean Pan de Pascua Recipe
• Chilean Christmas Cookies Recipe
• Chilean Mashed Potatoes Recipe