Good news! You don’t have to wait until November to enjoy your favorite fowl…five of Boston’s best chefs are putting their culinary spin on the popular poultry by plating up a handful of specials that you can only try during the month of June, also known as Turkey Lovers’ Month for those not in the know on the tastiest holidays.
Indulge those turkey cravings by eating your way through BBQ, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and New American takes on the All-American bird. Take a peek below for all the restaurants around Boston where you can get your gobble on.
Vietnamese Turkey Lettuce Cups at Blue Dragon
Fort Point’s favorite Asian fusion spot, Blue Dragon, is known for their bold flavors and out-of-the-box pairings that blend the best of the both worlds like garlic-sake clams with udon noodles and brisket bulgogi potstickers, and their Vietnamese Turkey Lettuce Cups are no different. On the plate created by chef-owner Ming Tsai and Chef de Cuisine Christine Canlas, you’ll find a balance between the chilled lettuce & papaya slaw and slightly spicy ground turkey. Give 617.338.8585 a ring to book a table, or make your reservation online.
Turkey Tips at The Tip Tap Room
Meat and brews — what could be better? Look to chef-owner Brian Poe’s The Tip Tap Room, where it’s all about tips (those delicious, bite-sized cuts) and taps (as 36 types of beer). The cuisine is creative American with a touch of global influence, thanks to Poe’s extensive travels, and the Beacon Hill tavern-esque joint is cooking up Sage-Peppercorn Turkey Tips with Creamed Corn Potatoes and Cranberry Fennel Slaw for their June special. It’s a sophisticated dish without being stuffy, and it’s one you’ll want to try again and again. Give ’em a heads up that you’re coming by.
Tebasaki-Style Turkey Wings at Whaling in Oklahoma
Chef-owner Tim Maslow’s dish has all the elements you want in wings: deep-fried, bone-in and tossed in a sweet & sticky glaze. His Tebasaki-Style Turkey Wings are fried twice and sauced nice with dulce de leche, fermented pepper, soy and cattle bean miso glaze. The Japanese-inspired brasserie is a newcomer to the South End restaurant scene — it opened up in August 2018 — and it’s already making a name for itself. Whaling in Oklahoma holds a portion of seats in their dining room every night for walk-ins but if you want to be on the safe side, save yourself a spot here.
Pavo Torta at Naco Taco
No Reservations Needed — Just Stop By or Order Online Here
Turkey goes south-of-the-border in this packed-to-the-brim sammie. Naco Taco’s chef Norlan Taborda is the mastermind behind the magical pressed Mexican sandwich, aka the Pavo Torta, which features the Central Square spot’s baked in-house corn telera bread. The dish definitely requires a two-hand hold to support the weight of everything that’s stuffed inside including sliced avocado, braised turkey leg, jalapeño jam and chipotle aioli. Find all the details here.
Oak Smoked Turkey Legs at Sweet Cheeks Q
Texas-style meats smoked with New England wood is sort of Sweet Cheeks Q’s thing, so would you expect anything less than two huge Oak Smoked Turkey Legs at this Fenway hangout? Chef Dan Raia plates his with pickles and onions, but you can add on a few other goodies beyond BBQ, too, like a bucket o’ biscuits (which the kitchen crew hits out of the park with the addition of honey butter) and a tall glass of sweet tea. Boylston Street is calling — answer back here.
Inspired to get creative with turkey?
From quick and easy weeknight dishes to plates to impress, you can find hundreds of delicious turkey recipes at EatTurkey.org
