How to Roast a Juicy, Savory (Brine) Thanksgiving Turkey!

Are you tired of presenting the same dried out turkey year after year at the Thanksgiving table? Hide the injectors and put away the basters! Try this brine soaked turkey recipe for juicier Thanksgiving feasts!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey
• 1 cup Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 gallon vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1/2 tablespoon allspice berries
• 1/2 tablespoon candied ginger
• 1 gallon iced water
• 1 red apple, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup water
• 4 sprigs rosemary
• 1 leaves sage
• Canola oil

1. 
   Use a large stock pot that holds 1 gallon!

   Combine kosher salt, light brown sugar, vegetable stock, black peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a stock pot. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. Remove from heat. When mixture is at room temperature, place in refrigerator or freezer until throughly chilled.

2. 
   Keep it clean and cold!

   The night before roasting, combine ice water and brine mixture in a clean five gallon bucket. Place thawed turkey in brine with the breast down (legs up). Place the bucket in refrigerator (or dark area if you don't have room). The turkey needs to sit in the brine for six hours. Turn turkey breast side up half way through (three hours).

3. 
   Try a variety of aromatics!

   Heat oven to 500 degrees just before you are ready to roast the turkey. Place apple and onion slices along with the cinnamon stick in a microwave save bowl with one cup water. Microwave on high for five minutes.

4. 
   Use fresh herbs for outstanding flavor!

   Take turkey out of brine and discard brine. Rinse the turkey with water and place on a roasting rack inside a wide pan. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Fill the cavity with the microwaved aromatics, rosemary sprigs and sage leaves. Rub the entire outside of the turkey with canola oil.

5. 
   Use fresh fruit and aromatics to garnish the turkey!

   Roast turkey on the lowest level of oven at 500 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove turkey from oven and cover breast area only with a double layer of foil. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees and continue to roast turkey. The turkey should roast about 2 to 2 1/2 hours but ALWAYS use a thermometer until the internal temperature is 161 degrees at the thickest part of the breast. Remove turkey from oven and let stand 15 minutes before carving! Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your brine stays cold. Add ice if necessary.
• Try your favorite spices and aromatic fruits and herbs.
• Use a "neutral" flavored oil (not olive oil) to coat the turkey.

[budgetmom]

on 10/5/2009 I have never tried brining a turkey but I heard it makes it really good. Thank you for sharing.

[washingtonson]

on 11/11/2008 Thank You! I have posted a link on my blog

http://washingtonson.blogspot.com/