This is a bold Southern-inspired dish that pairs crispy, golden turkey with fluffy waffles for the perfect sweet-and-savory bite. Drizzled with spicy hot honey butter, it delivers a satisfying balance of crunch, heat, and indulgent comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) buttermilk (or plain yogurt thinned with water)
- 1 egg
- 1 lb (450 g) turkey cutlets or skinless, boneless breast
- 3/4 cup (175 mL) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) black pepper
- canola oil, for frying
Waffles:
- 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
- 1 cup (250 mL) milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) canola oil
Hot Honey Butter:
- 1/3 cup (75 mL) butter
- 2-3 Tbsp (45 mL) honey
- 1-2 tsp (10 mL) Sriracha
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg. Cut the turkey into 1/2 to 1-inch strips and add to the egg mixture, stirring to coat them all well.
- In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Remove the turkey pieces from the egg mixture and dredge in the flour, pressing as much onto the turkey as you can (particularly those damp bits of buttermilk and flour). Transfer to a rack set over a baking sheet. (If you want extra coating, dip them again in the buttermilk and another batch of seasoned flour.)
- Heat an inch or two of oil in a heavy medium saucepan or deep skillet until it’s hot, but not smoking—a scrap of bread should sizzle when dipped in, or it should be about 350°F on a thermometer.
- Fry the turkey strips in batches, without crowding the pan, until crisp and deep golden, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- To make the waffles, in a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl or measuring cup, whisk the milk, egg and oil. Add to the dry ingredients and stir just to combine.
- To make the hot honey butter, warm the butter and whisk together with the sriracha and honey.
- Cook the waffles in a preheated waffle iron until golden and crisp.
- Serve the fried turkey over the waffles, passing the spicy honey butter at the table.
Tips
Recipe courtesy of Manitoba Turkey Producers