Rob Gronkowski Becomes Chef Gronk for Dunksgiving Celebration

Dunksgiving is a highlight of my year since it’s a time we celebrate our culinary team and the innovative products they help create through the years. I always look forward to seeing what classic Thanksgiving dishes they make using their favorite Dunkin’ Donuts products, but this year I was put to the test and challenged to make the most important Thanksgiving staple: turkey. To help with this challenge, I called upon some muscle and invited professional football player Rob Gronksowski to the Dunkin’ Brands test kitchen to help me make Original Blend Coffee Brined Turkey. Needless to say, Chef Gronk and I had a great time and made some delicious food. Check it out for yourself in the video below:

It was great partnering with Chef Gronk to make this Thanksgiving staple, and I think we both learned something through the process (him with cooking and me knowing to get out of the way when he’s craving pancakes on the field). If you’d like to recreate this dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, the full recipe can be found below, complete with Espresso Spiked Gravy. Happy Dunksgiving everyone!

Ingredients (serves about 14)

Instructions

1 Dunkin’ Donuts Box O’ Joe of Original Blend Coffee or 12 cups of Original Blend Coffee brewed at home
1 Cup of salt
2 Cups of maple syrup
1 Package of fresh rosemary
1 Package of fresh thyme
4 Large Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffees, Black
1, 12-14 lb. Turkey
4-5 Gallons peanut oil (if frying)

In a large stock pot, combine the water, Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend Coffee, salt, herbs, and maple syrup.
Bring to a boil and stir until salt is dissolved.
Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
When the mixture is cool, pour it into a clean 5 gallon bucket.
Stir in the ice water.
Place the Turkey into the Brine.
Place the bucket in the refrigerator overnight but no longer than 12 hours.
Remove turkey from the brine and pat dry very well with paper towels.
Heat 4-5 gallons of peanut oil to 250 degrees and slowly submerge the Turkey in the oil.
Increase the temperature to 350 degrees. Once the oil hits 350 degrees, cook the bird for 30-40 minutes more, and check with a meat thermometer.
When the thermometer reads 160 degrees in the breasts, remove the Turkey and cover for 30 minutes with tinfoil.
After 30 minutes, uncover the Turkey, slice and serve!

*Chef's Note: If you don't have a fryer, you can roast the Turkey in an oven at 325 degrees for 3-3.5 hours

Espresso Spiked Gravy:

Ingredients (Serves about 6)

Instructions

4 Tbsp. Butter
¼ Cup Flour
2 Cups Turkey Stock (or Chicken Stock)
2 Dunkin’ Donuts Espresso Shots
Salt and pepper to taste

In a small sauce pan melt the butter.
Add flour and stir to combine.
Cook for 3 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally so the roux* doesn’t burn.
Whisk in turkey stock and espresso and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer and serve with turkey, mashed potatoes, or like, anything!

*Culinary tip! A “roux” is a term used to describe when flour and butter are cooked together to make a thickener for gravies and soups!

Find the full recipe below and for more Dunksgiving recipes that you can use for your Thanksgiving dinner, visit here!