A great video shot for Napoleon. My easy Christmas turkey recipe with cranberry apples, green bean casserole, and garlic mashed potatoes. It's not always fun to spend the holidays cooking, so here's a recipe that lets you spend as much time as possible with your family and friends!

For Christmas, Chef Rohan shares his BBQ-roasted turkey recipe. 🔥⭐️🍗🎄🎁 Follow the 11-step guide!

Ingredient List:

For the brine (24 h):

Water, salt, sugar, and spices

For the stuffing:

500g sausage meat
Garlic – here wild garlic, enough for 1 tablespoon
1 green chili
2 onions
3 tbsp chopped parsley
Croutons – 500g
1 tbsp Herbes de Provence
Chicken stock – 500–600ml
2 apples

Turkey:

1 tbsp of your favorite spice mix

For the cranberry sauce:

2 shallots
250g cranberries
Salt, pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil
Red port – 100ml

For the baked apples:

6 apples
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

For the green bean casserole:

1 kg green beans
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
100ml cream / milk if desired
1/2 cup fried onions
Salt and pepper

Instructions: see the video

🧾 Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/8 of the full recipe (turkey, stuffing, veggies, sauces)

Calories: 1090 kcal 🟧

Total Fat64 g🟥 91% DV
… Saturated Fat21 g🟥 105% DV
… Omega-31.2 g🟩 80% DV
Carbohydrates43 g🟩 17% DV
… Sugars10 g🟩 11% DV
Dietary Fiber4.8 g🟩 16% DV
Protein78 g🟥 156% DV
Cholesterol310 mg🟥 103% DV
Sodium2.8 g🟥 47% DV
Calcium95 mg🟩 12% DV
Iron4.9 mg🟩 35% DV
Vitamin B123.8 µg🟥 158% DV

*DV: Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie diet

🧬 Health Insights – Cancer + Diabetes

💡
🥗 Is this recipe healthy ?

Christmas turkey cooked on a gas grill, with homemade stuffing and vegetables, combines festive traditions with gentler cooking techniques. Rotisserie cooking on a gas BBQ helps avoid potentially carcinogenic substances linked to charring or direct flame contact, while ensuring slow and even cooking.

🧬 Click to expand

🎯 Cancer Risk:

Indirect cooking on a gas BBQ significantly reduces the formation of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and heterocyclic amines, especially if the turkey isn’t charred. The aromatic herbs used (wild garlic, parsley, Herbes de Provence) provide antioxidant compounds that help protect cells. The absence of nitrites and processed foods is also a positive point.

🩸 Diabetes and Blood Sugar:

The recipe includes several carbohydrate sources (croutons, apples, cranberries, baked apples), but they are spread throughout the meal. Butter, cream, and fried onions add a significant fat load, which should be moderated by those with diabetes or insulin resistance. However, the good protein density (turkey, stuffing) provides a solid nutritional balance if portions are controlled.

✅ Health Recommendations:

  • Avoid excess croutons and baked apples if blood sugar is a concern.
  • Replace croutons with whole grain bread cubes if desired.
  • Serve with a green salad or steamed vegetables to lighten the calorie load.
  • Be mindful of butter and cream quantities if you have high cholesterol.

🧠 Summary

This is a festive yet overall healthy recipe when cooked properly and with controlled fat portions. The gas BBQ, absence of charred crust, and richness in aromatic herbs make it a solid compromise between holiday indulgence and health.