Move over, deep-fried turkey, there’s a new showstopper on the Thanksgiving table. This year, Reynolds is giving the holiday classic a seriously indulgent twist with its Dubai Chocolate Turkey, inspired by the viral Middle Eastern chocolate sensation that’s been all over TikTok.
For 2025, the brand known for its kitchen staples like Reynolds Wrap and Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Oven Bags is encouraging home cooks to think outside the roasting pan with a turkey that combines rich chocolate, pistachio cream, and crispy kataifi (a shredded pastry often used in Middle Eastern desserts).
“It’s bold, unexpected, and surprisingly delicious,” says Sumita Ghosh, marketing director for Reynolds Foil & Bakeware. “We wanted to take one of the world’s biggest flavor trends and bring it to the holiday table — and show that with Reynolds products, even an indulgent recipe like this can be simple to make.”
A viral flavor meets a holiday staple
Dubai chocolate, known for its glossy pistachio filling, layers of crisp pastry, and gold-dusted finish, has become a social media star in 2025, with millions of posts showing off its dramatic, glossy drizzle and luxe aesthetic. Now, that same opulent flavor is being reimagined for the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner.
The Reynolds Wrap Dubai Chocolate Turkey starts with a rub of warm, fragrant spices like nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves, layered over a classic roasted turkey. During the final stretch of baking, the recipe calls for a pistachio-studded coating and a rich, molten chocolate gravy that takes the dish from savory to show-stopping.
To keep things manageable, Reynolds products do some of the heavy lifting. The company recommends either its Heavy Duty Foil, which helps achieve crispy skin without constant basting, or its Turkey Oven Bags, a no-fail option for beginners and seasoned cooks alike.
A feast for the senses
Once the turkey is roasted, it’s dressed in golden kataifi pastry and topped with pistachios and optional edible gold leaf for extra flair. Just before serving, a drizzle of molten chocolate gravy gives the turkey a glossy, dessert-like finish that’s more couture than comfort food.
The result? A centerpiece that’s part culinary experiment, part conversation starter, and entirely Instagram-worthy.
Many don’t thaw their turkey on time.
For the adventurous host
While the Dubai Chocolate Turkey might not replace Grandma’s recipe, it’s the perfect choice for a Friendsgiving crowd or anyone looking to surprise guests with something playful and over-the-top.
Ready to try it yourself? The full Reynolds Wrap Dubai Chocolate Turkey recipe and step-by-step instructions are below:
Reynolds®
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Bake Time: 3 ½ to 4 hours
Yield: 10 to 16 Servings
Ingredients:
• 1, 10 to 16-pound turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Dubai Chocolate Turkey Rub:
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons paprika
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Crunchy Kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry) Filling:
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 ½ cups shredded and dried kataifi
• 1, 7-ounce jar pistachio cream
• 1 ½ tablespoons tahini
For the Molten Chocolate Gravy
• 6 ounces of milk chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
For the Pistachio Coating & Dressing
• 1 ½ cups shelled and roasted pistachios, divided
• 2 tablespoons edible gold leaf (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix ingredients for the Dubai Chocolate Turkey Rub.
- Line a roasting pan that is at least 2 inches deep with Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil.
- Remove neck and giblets from turkey, rinse, and pat dry. Place turkey lengthwise in center of foil sheet to cook; tie legs.
- Brush turkey with olive oil. Then coat turkey with prepared Dubai Chocolate Turkey Rub.
- Cook in Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil tent or Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Oven Bag.
- Option 1: Make a foil tent by placing a sheet of Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil over the turkey, leaving 1 inch between the top of the turkey and the foil tent for heat circulation. Crimp foil onto long sides of pan. Remove the foil tent after the first hour.
- Option 2: Place the turkey in the Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Oven Bag and close the bag with the enclosed ties. Follow the instructions laid out in the brochure for full details on how to prepare the turkey in a Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Oven Bag.
- Roast turkey until meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, about 3 ½ to 4 hours for a 14 lb. turkey.
- Prepare the pistachio coating, kataifi filling and molten chocolate gravy during the last hour of baking:
- Prepare the pistachio coating: Place 1 cup of roasted and shelled pistachios in a food processer; pulse for 1 to 2 minutes or until finely ground, being careful not to pulse into a paste. Loosely chop the remaining ½ cup of pistachios. Set aside until ready to use.
- Prepare the kataifi filling: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the kataifi and cook, stirring and turning often until deep golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Add pistachio cream and tahini. Stir to fully incorporate; Cover mixture and set aside.
- Prepare the molten chocolate gravy: Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream to a simmer, then pour over chocolate. Let rest for 1 minute, then stir until fully incorporated and smooth; set aside.
- Remove turkey from oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove and discard foil or oven bag.
- Transfer turkey to a serving dish. Generously dust the turkey with finely ground pistachios. Cover the turkey cavity with half of the kataifi mixture; use the remaining to dress the base of the turkey. Add chopped pistachios and gold leaf on the turkey and around the base. Just before serving drizzle about ¼ cup of the prepared chocolate on top of the turkey. Reserve remaining chocolate for individual serving.
