
Turkey + Tequila = Firefighters: Wisconsin Man’s Recipe Disaster
There are bad ideas, and then there's "let's soak a turkey in tequila and shove it in the oven" bad. A Madison apartment recently turned into the set of a low-budget action movie, complete with blue flames and an exploding oven door, courtesy of a boozy bird.
There are recipes passed down through generations... and then there's whatever was happening in this Madison apartment
The Birth of the "Flambirdé"

According to the Madison Fire Department, a well-intentioned home cook decided to marinate a turkey in tequila. Bold move. Unfortunately, when alcohol vapors build up inside an oven with nowhere to go, they don't just simmer, they detonate. Eight minutes into cooking, the oven door blew open, blue flames leapt out, and firefighters were called to the 5000 block of Old Middleton Road to assess the turkey carnage.
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Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt, just one person was evaluated for burns, and one oven removed from the premises like a rowdy bar patron.
It's a Bird, It's a Flame, It's a Bad Idea
The chef claims they've made this "Flambirdé" dish before without issue. We're guessing the tequila-to-turkey ratio got a little aggressive this time.
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A Word of Caution for Aspiring Turkey Mixologists
If you're planning to cook a turkey anytime soon, maybe keep the tequila in your glass, not you're marinade. Alcohol and enclosed heat don't play nice together unless you're aiming for a side of first responders with your main course.
But hey, if you're looking to spice up your dinner party and test your local department's response time, you now have a recipe.
Bon appétit, Madison.
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Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon
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