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Wild Game Cuisine

Grilled Wild Turkey with Blackberry Reduction Sauce

The initial thought of putting fruit on top of meat was unsettling. Why not just eat it plain?

Justin Adams •April 3, 20252 min read
Wild turkey dish.
Photo Credit: Justin Adams

Sure, the idea sounded weird, but then I started thinking of all the sweet and salty things I always eat and how the two complement each other: sweet and sour chicken, honey barbecue or pineapple on pizza. You get the point. It’s delicious, and it works! 

This dish is no different and truly adds two beautiful ingredients, wild turkey breast and fresh blackberries. I elevated this a bit and grilled it to add a smokiness, adding more depth to the flavor. 

I hope your 2025 spring season is going well so far! Happy hunting, and enjoy!

For the turkey
  • 1 wild turkey breast, halved, butterflied
  • 1 sprig of fresh rosemary (dried is okay too)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the blackberry reduction sauce
  • 1 pint of blackberries, rinsed
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

For the wild turkey

  1. Cut the turkey in half and butterfly the breast.
  2. In a bowl or Ziplock bag, combine the olive oil, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well to form a marinade.
  3. Place wild turkey in the bowl or Ziplock, ensuring it’s fully covered and let marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator, or overnight if you’d like.
  4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F
  5. Remove the turkey breasts from the marinade and place them on the grill.
  6. Grill the turkey breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F
  7. Remove the turkey from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

For the blackberry sauce

  1. Rinse the blackberries under cold water.
  2. Add blackberries, sugar, lemon zest and lemon to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blackberries break down and the mixture starts to reduce. Use a spoon to gently mash the blackberries for extra flavor.
  3. Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes, allowing it to thicken and become syrupy. If you want a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, but I like it a bit more rustic with the berries and seeds.

Serve

  1. Slice the grilled turkey breasts.
  2. Drizzle the blackberry reduction over the turkey slices.
Filed Under:
  • Field to Fork
  • Healthy Harvests