Turkey Cranberry Crostini
Turkey cranberry crostini is a slice of homemade sourdough spread with whipped brie and topped with charcoal grilled turkey tenderloin and a spoonful of cranberry apple sauce.
| Grill temp | 300 to 325°F, direct heat |
| Fuel | Charcoal with a small piece of pecan |
| Cook time | 45 minutes to 1 hour, cook to temperature |
| Pull temp | 155°F, then rest about 30 minutes |
| Final temp | 164 to 165°F after the rest |
| Yield | About 20 crostini |
Leftover turkey is perfect for this one. If you are starting from scratch, a pre-brined turkey tenderloin does the same job and cooks in a fraction of the time.
I run the grill at 300 to 325°F on charcoal, pull the turkey at 155°F and rest it covered in butter for about 30 minutes. After the rest the probe reads 164 to 165°F and the slices stay juicy. Whipped brie goes on homemade sourdough, the turkey goes on the brie and a cranberry sauce with apple and Cointreau finishes it.
Turkey Cranberry Crostini
Equipment
- Charcoal grill or smoker
- Instant-read thermometer
- Hand mixer
- Saucepan
- Bread knife
Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 turkey tenderloin pre-brined, such as Jennie-O, or about the same amount of leftover turkey
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 stick salted butter melted
Whipped Brie
- 1 wheel brie 8 oz, rind removed, cold
Cranberry Apple Sauce
- 1 bag Ocean Spray fresh cranberries 12 oz
- 1 Granny Smith apple peeled and diced
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 orange juiced, no zest
- 2 lemons juiced, no zest
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup Cointreau
To Build
- 1 loaf homemade sourdough sliced 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
- olive oil for brushing the bread if you grill it
- fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Turkey
- Set up the grill for direct heat at 300 to 325°F with charcoal and one small piece of pecan.
- Season the tenderloin all over with the salt, pepper and garlic blend.
- Cook over direct heat, 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the thickest part reads 155°F. Go by the thermometer, not the clock.
- Pour the melted butter over the turkey and rest it covered on the counter for about 30 minutes. The probe should read 164 to 165°F after the rest. Slice thin.
Make the Cranberry Apple Sauce
- Bring the juice of the orange and lemons, the orange juice, the brown sugar and the salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add the cranberries and diced apple. Bring it back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Stir in the Cointreau while the sauce is still cooking so the alcohol cooks off. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Chill until thick.
Whip the Brie
- While the turkey rests, cut the rind off the cold brie. Let it soften almost to the point of melting in a warm kitchen.
- Whip with a hand mixer on high until it looks like whipped cream.
Build the Crostini
- Slice the sourdough 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Toast to golden brown. A toaster on setting 3 does it, though yours may differ. For more flavor, brush the slices with olive oil and grill them.
- Spread each slice with whipped brie, add a slice of turkey, spoon on the cranberry apple sauce and finish with fresh thyme.
Notes
Pitmaster Notes
Go easy on the pecan. A small piece is plenty for a mild bird. Cut the brie cold, then let it soften almost to the point of melting before you whip it. A warm kitchen helps. Whip on high until it looks like whipped cream. Do not skip the rest on the turkey, because the temperature climbs about 10 degrees while it sits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make turkey crostini with leftover turkey?
Yes. Leftover turkey is perfect for this recipe. If you are starting without any, a pre-brined turkey tenderloin cooked on the grill works just as well.
What temperature do you cook a turkey tenderloin to?
Pull it at 155°F, pour melted butter over it and rest it covered for about 30 minutes. After the rest the probe reads 164 to 165°F.
How do you whip brie?
Cut the rind off a cold wheel, then let it soften almost to the point of melting in a warm kitchen. Whip it with a hand mixer on high until it looks like whipped cream.
How many crostini does one turkey tenderloin make?
One turkey tenderloin and one wheel of brie make about 20 crostini.
Machete Boys BBQ is run by the 2023 American Royal World Series of Barbecue Reserve Grand Champion, based in Minneapolis. Methods honed in competition, built for your backyard. Read the full story →
Cooking the whole bird? Here is the smoked turkey. Need dessert? The sweet potato swiss roll is on the same page. Want a drink to go with it? Try the apple pie bourbon smash. More cooks live in our recipes and on the holiday recipes page.
