Taste Show premium recipe
American cuisine
Easy

Brined Turkey

Let’s plan ahead for the best and juiciest Thanksgiving turkey. Brining beforehand helps to hold in more juice and flavor when roasting. A belly full of aromatics instead of stuffing allows the turkey to cook faster. This Thanksgiving will traditionally give center stage to a foolproof, moist, and flavorful roast turkey. And don’t forget to save all the liquid to make your gravy.

Brined Turkey
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Recipe
PRE TIME: 2 days
COOKING TIME: 3 hr
TOTAL TIME: 2 days 3 hr
2 SERVING
Ingredients:
  • 11 lb. Turkey
  • 4 cup Coldwater
  • 4 slices Bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup Whole black peppercorn
  • 1/2 cup Salt
  • 12 cloves Garlic
  • 1 Gallon Cold Water
  • ㅤSeasoning
  • 2 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. Ground black pepper
  • ㅤIngredients for Inside of Turkey
  • 1 large Yellow onion
  • 1 medium Lemon
  • 1 large Garlic
  • 1/2 Bunch Thyme
  • ㅤFor Bake
  • 4 tbsp. Butter
  • ㅤTurkey Gravy
  • cup Pan Drippings + Turkey or Chicken Stock
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
Directions:
Step 1
Step 1
1
Remove giblets from inside the turkey.
Step 2
Step 2
2
Bring water, bay leaves, black peppercorns, salt, and garlic cloves to a boil.
Step 3
Step 3
3
Strain into a heat-safe container filled with 1 gallon of cold water.
Step 4
Step 4
4
Chill and brine the turkey overnight in the fridge. (Make sure to remove giblets from inside the turkey.
Step 5
Step 5
5
Remove turkey from brine and leave in the fridge, uncovered, at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours until ready to roast.
Step 6
Step 6
6
Heat oven to 400°F / 200°C.
Step 7
Step 7
7
If the turkey isn’t dry, blot with paper towels. Season liberally, inside and out, with salt and pepper.
Step 8
Step 8
8
Put【Ingredients for Inside of Turkey】 in the cavity of the turkey.
Step 9
Step 9
9
Put the turkey in a roasting pan breast side up. And dab butter on turkey.
Step 10
Step 10
10
Put in oven and bake 1 hour.
Step 11
Step 11
11
Lower the heat to 350°F/180°C, then bake another 1-2 hours, depending on the size of your turkey. Check temperature every 15 minutes in the thigh next to the bone and in the thickest part of the breast until it reads 160°F-165°F/65°C-80°C.
Step 12
Step 12
12
Once the turkey is cooked to temperature, remove from oven to a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil 20-30 minutes.
Step 13
Step 13
13
Melt butter in a saucepan.
Step 14
Step 14
14
Add flour and cook on medium heat, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon 1 minute, or until flour just starts to turn yellow.
Step 15
Step 15
15
While whisking, slowly stream in pan drippings/stock.
Step 16
Step 16
16
Return to a simmer on low-medium heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If gravy is lumpy, use an immersion blender to smooth. Serve immediately or rewarm in microwave or saucepan as needed.
Step 17
Step 17
17
Slice and serve.
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