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Active Time
30 minutes
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Total Time
3 hours (includes marinating)
When stripped of their skin and bones, turkey thighs can look a bit, well, naked. But once they're slathered with a spice paste pungent with garlic, chili powder, and cumin, and then grilled, you'll think you're eating the most tender turkey steak ever, cooked well done, of course. And that, right there, is the beauty of turkey thighs: They can handle the heat, and even if the thermometer goes beyond the ideal of 170°F, the thigh meat will still be juicy and delicious.
Ingredients
Makes 8 servings as part of a larger Thanksgiving meal or 4 as a single main course
Step 1
Pull off turkey skin and freeze in a small resealable plastic bag. (You can use the skin to make cracklings for ourShredded Kale Salad with Turkey Skin Cracklings.)
Step 2
Cut out the thigh bone from each thigh and save in another resealable plastic bag in the freezer for a future stock.
Step 3
捣碎大蒜粘贴与2茶匙盐mortar and pestle or mince and mash to a paste with a heavy knife.
Step 4
Whisk together the paste with the chili powder, cumin, and olive oil and spread it all over the thighs in a baking dish. Cover the dish and marinate the thighs, chilled, at least 2 hours.
Step 5
Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high for gas); see Grilling Procedure, below.
Step 6
Oil grill rack, then grill thighs (cover only if using a gas grill), turning once or twice, until thermometer registers 170°F, 15 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Grilling Procedure:
Step 7
Charcoal Grilling Instructions:
Open vents on bottom of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood).Step 8
For Direct-Heat Instructions:
When coals are lit, dump them out across bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals on one side of grill equal to the size of the food to be grilled where food can be moved in case of any flare-ups.Step 9
When charcoal turns grayish white (start checking coals after 15 minutes), the grill will be at its hottest and will then begin to cool off. It will be at the proper medium-hot temperature when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack (directly over the coals) for 3 to 4 seconds.
Step 10
Gas Grill Instructions:
Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then adjust heat according to recipe.
•Thighs can also be broiled. Arrange them on a foil-lined rimmed sheet pan and broil about 4 to 5 inches from the heat, turning once or twice, until thermometer registers 170°F, 15 to 25 minutes.
How would you rate Garlic-Chile Grilled Turkey Thighs?
Leave a Review
Reviews (17)
Back to TopAmazing and simple seasoning that gives tons of flavour. Have used it on deboned chicken thighs, brined turkey breast, and turkey thighs, broiled in my toaster oven during a kitchen remodel. Nice served with steamed veggies cooked in the microwave and carbs such as potatoes, quinoa, or rice. The cooked marinade makes a fine sauce as is. You can always add a tablespoon of cold butter to extend and thicken the sauce along with finely chopped parsley.
aluver
NYC
12/5/2019
We have decidedly given up on cooking a full turkey for the holidays since finding this recipe. It has been at least 4 years since we first made it- and we haven't changed a thing. Though it is a bit time consuming (which seems strange b/c there are so few ingredients), it has been a delight for any person that we've ever made it for and we are excited to have it again in just a few short days for Thanksgiving. Great job on this recipe!
mccorklekirsten791
Livonia, NY
11/26/2019
Followed recipe and it came out well seasoned and delicious.
janismantini
Huntington Beach, Ca
8/22/2018
Not bad at all! This matinee is wonderful.
Goosey
Rhode Island
6/2/2017
I tried this recipe last night, followed all of the directions and served it to my husband. He would not eat it and I don't blame him. The spice balance is off, the turkey came out tough and dry and this is not a recipe I would present to anyone again. In my opinion this recipe rates a -10.
msmir
Green Country, OK
11/22/2015
I used this recipe to make chicken wings in the oven. It was simpler to use a food processor to make the "marinade" and I left the skin on the wings. Bake on a cookie sheet or sheet cake pan at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, and then turn over for another 10 minutes to obtain a crispy, flavorful wing.
Moosemaid
Mount Lebanon, PA
7/3/2015
Easy and really good. I broiled mine. Even easier.
kingscrown
Rough & Ready, CA
3/31/2015
Very delicious and easy. I made it exactly as instructed, using ancho chili powder. The thighs turn out attractively dark due to the chili, and are deep and hearty flavored without being overly spicy. These can be served with many sides, I don't feel limited to plain rice. It has become a favorite.
lindadk
California
5/18/2014
Delicious recipe! I wouldn't change a thing. The marinade can also be used for a variety of other meats. Enjoy!
cwilson1
Campbell, CA
1/6/2014
Easy and delicious spelling errors aside
nort58
5/25/2013
(...because it was rating at 67%.... Now it's up to 75%... I hope that others will bump it up too.)
Cecilia22222
3/10/2013
Everyone loved this one.... It looks as though no 'forkage' means a zero rating.... Think that this will be dinner tonight. 'Forking' the recipe in advance so that people won't think that it's awful. : )
Anonymous
PA
3/10/2013
We loved this recipe. Super easy and quick with ingredients always on hand. Great weeknight meal. Even my young daughter loved it. Will definitely make again whenever I can find turkey thighs.
tochefs
2/18/2013
Oh please! It's turkey, not Turkey. The Republic of Turkey is a country located mostly on the Anatolian peninsula. Sarcasm intended. The recipe? Loved it, but made it with chicken thighs instead of turkey...on the grill. No sarcasm about that.
Anonymous
Beaverton, OR
1/12/2013
Um, chili not Chile. Chile is a country in South America.
zogness
Boston Ma
11/18/2012
