Roasted Cornish Game Hens With Smoked Apple Butter and Bourbon
Break Tradition and Wow Your Holiday Table
Small and easy to prepare they’re an unforgettable alternative to turkey
Turkey might always be the star of the holiday table, but why not mix things up this year. Let’s give some love to another delicious option—Cornish game hens! These little birds are a total game-changer (pun intended). They’re tender, full of flavor, and so easy to season and marinate. And because they’re not your usual holiday go-to, they’re sure to wow anyone who loves poultry.
The best part? They’re ready in under an hour!
Servings
4
1 Hour (excluding Marinade Time) –
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 Minutes
Good For:
Dinner
About this Recipe
Holidays are all about traditions—but who says you can’t mix it up a little? Enter Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Smoked Apple Butter and Bourbon! These little gems bring big, bold flavor and are sure to steal the show at your holiday table.
Smaller than your typical turkey, Cornish game hens are tender, juicy, and incredibly easy to cook. Plus, they’re a total blank slate for creative, bold flavors. That’s where the magic of SWEEETHEAT Southern Spice Blend, Smoked Apple Butter, bourbon, and molasses comes in. These flavorful ingredients come together to create a marinade that’s sweet, smoky, and slightly boozy, infusing every bite of these hens with indulgent goodness. The result? A restaurant-quality dish that looks fancy but is surprisingly simple to make—and utterly delicious.
Stuffed with aromatic apple, lemon, onion, and thyme, these hens roast to golden perfection, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma. The crisp, caramelized skin and juicy, flavorful meat make them a total crowd-pleaser that your guests will rave about. And here’s the best part—they’re ready to serve in under an hour! That means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying moments with your loved ones.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner for two or pulling out all the stops for a big holiday celebration, these Cornish game hens are versatile enough to wow any crowd. Pair them with your favorite holiday sides—think roasted root vegetables, a rich gravy, or a zesty cranberry sauce—for a complete meal that’s as beautiful as it is satisfying.
Looking to shake up your holiday menu and try something new? These Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Smoked Apple Butter and Bourbon are ready to shine. Tradition is great, but sometimes a little twist is all you need to make the season extra memorable!
Pro Tips for Perfectly Roasted Cornish Game Hens
Want to make your Cornish game hens absolutely unforgettable? We’ve got you covered with these easy, flavor-packed tips!
- Marinate Overnight: Let your hens soak in the good stuff! An overnight marinade with SWEEETHEAT Smoked Apple Butter, bourbon, and molasses ensures every bite bursts with incredible flavor. Maximum flavor, minimal effort!
- Season Inside and Out: Don’t stop at the skin! Sprinkle some SWEEETHEAT Southern Spice Blend inside the cavity for an extra punch of deliciousness. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: No guessing games here! Check the internal temp to hit that perfect 165°F (74°C) for juicy, perfectly cooked hens every time.
- Let Them Rest: Patience is key! Resting the hens for 10-15 minutes after roasting locks in all those amazing juices, so every bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Baste Like a Pro: Brush on leftover marinade or melted butter every 15 minutes while roasting. Crispy, golden skin with mouthwatering flavor? Yes, please!
Cooking Cornish game hens doesn’t have to be intimidating—it’s actually super fun!
Follow these tips for foolproof results and get ready for your guests to rave about your dinner. You’ve got this!
Awesome Side Dishes to Pair with Roasted Cornish Game Hens
A delicious main dish deserves equally tasty sides, right? Let’s talk about pairing those sweet, smoky Cornish game hens with sides that’ll take your meal to the next level!
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery goodness with a hint of roasted garlic. These mashed potatoes balance out the bold flavors of the smoked apple butter marinade like a dream!
- Roasted Root Vegetables: Think carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roasted to perfection with olive oil and herbs. Earthy, sweet, and oh-so-delicious!
- Apple and Cranberry Salad: Crisp apple slices, dried cranberries, mixed greens, and toasted pecans tossed in a light vinaigrette. Refreshing, tangy, and the perfect counterbalance to the smoky hens.
- Wild Rice Pilaf: Nutty wild rice with mushrooms, onions, and fresh herbs. Rustic, hearty, and packed with flavor.
- Honey-Glazed Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Brussels sprouts drizzled with honey or maple syrup. Sweet, caramelized, and totally irresistible!
Why not mix and match? Pick your favorites, try something new, and get ready for a meal you won’t forget!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish Game Hens (1 ½ – 2 Pounds)
- ½ Cup SWEEETHEAT Smoked Apple Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Bourbon
- 1 Tablespoon Molasses
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Southern Spice Blend
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Small Lemon
- 1 Small Onion
- 1 Apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith preferred)
- A Few Sprigs of Thyme
- 1-2 Tablespoons of Olive oil for roasting
Step 1
Make the Smoked Apple Butter Bourbon marinade by combining SWEEETHEAT Smoked Apple Butter, bourbon, molasses, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Step 2
Season both sides and the inner cavity of the s hens with SWEEETHEAT Southern Spice Blend, salt, and pepper. Place in a zip lock bag. Pour marinade over seasoned hens and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight). Remove Cornish game hens from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before cooking.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Step 4
Using tongs, remove Cornish game hens from the Ziplock gag and shake off excess marinade. Pat dry with a paper towel before adding to hens (breast side up) to a cast iron skillet or roasting pan.
Step 5
Cut apple, lemon, and onions into wedges. Place one of each wedge and two sprigs of thyme in the cavity of each hen. Add remaining wedges of apple, lemon, and onion to the pan, surrounding the hens.
Step 6
Drizzle olive oil over hens, apples, lemon, and onions and place in the oven to roast for 45 – 50 minutes or until the Cornish game hens reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Step 7
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
Optional:
Garnish roasted Cornish game hen with a few thin slices of apple and additional thyme sprigs.
About SWEEETHEAT’S Southern Spice Blend
SWEEETHEAT’s Southern Spice Blend is a vibrant mix of sugar, chili flakes, Cajun seasoning, ground coriander, ground mustard, jalapeño powder, paprika, turmeric, and sea salt. This distinctive combination captures the soulful essence of Southern cuisine, infusing your dishes with an irresistible dance of flavors.
In our Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe, this blend works in harmony with SWEEETHEAT’s Smoked Apple Butter and bourbon marinade, creating a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy profile that elevates the natural flavors of the poultry.
The result is a succulent, flavorful dish that brings the warmth and richness of Southern cooking to your table.
Ready to transform your meals with a touch of Southern magic? Order your jar of SWEEETHEAT’s Southern Spice Blend today and embark on a culinary adventure like no other!
In Conclusion
Ready to impress with a dish that’s bursting with flavor and effortless elegance? Say hello to your new favorite recipe: Smoked Apple Butter and Bourbon Roasted Cornish Game Hens! Perfectly roasted and packed with bold, festive flair, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re wowing guests at a holiday dinner or spicing up your weekly menu, these game hens deliver unforgettable taste in every single bite. Pair them with a few indulgent sides, pour your go-to drink, and let the magic happen! This season, ditch the ordinary and make your meal the talk of the table. Cheers to delicious memories and happy holidays!