Steps to Prepare Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

A thanksgiving turkey is an integral part of the holiday meal, but the idea of turning out a perfect, golden brown bird can be daunting.

Recipe Summary Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

Prepare yourself for a juicy flavor kiss! Brining is a popular method for improving the flavor and moisture content of lean meats like chicken, turkey, pork, and seafood. Enjoy the most juiciest and flavorful turkey you'll ever eat.

Ingredients | Thanksgiving Turkey

1 gallon water

4 quarts chicken broth

1 ½ cups kosher salt

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

2 tablespoons dried minced onion

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons dried savory

2 tablespoons dried marjoram

2 tablespoons dried thyme

2 tablespoons dried tarragon

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

2 gallons ice, divided, or more as needed

1 (20 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed

Directions

Mix water, chicken broth, and salt together in a 5-gallon bucket with lid until salt dissolves. Add garlic, rosemary, onion, basil, savory, marjoram, thyme, tarragon, oregano, pepper, and coriander and mix well. Stir 2 cups ice into brine.

Place turkey into brine, filling cavity with brine. Add enough ice to bucket to cover turkey. Secure lid on bucket. Swish bucket from side-to-side to chill water. Refrigerate turkey and bucket, refilling with ice every 2 hours as needed, 12 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Discard brine. Place turkey on a rack inside a roasting pan.

Bake turkey in the preheated oven, basting every 30 to 40 minutes, until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 5 to 6 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

There is no need to add any more spices when removing from brine solution. The turkey will be flavorful and juicy enough. But, if you still choose to, prepare turkey as you normally would. This brine solution can be scaled back and used for any type of poultry, roasting chickens, or even boneless chicken breasts.

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the brine ingredients. The actual amount of the brine consumed will vary.

Info | Thanksgiving Turkey

cook: 5 hrs additional: 12 hrs total: 17 hrs Servings: 20 Yield: 20 servings

TAG : Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

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