Our Favorite Turkey Recipe

We’re talking Turkey today! Dan and I are sharing our favorite way of preparing the Thanksgiving turkey. (Recipe and method from @altonbrown) If you’ve never made a turkey before, give this method a try. As long as you’re patient, it’s well worth the effort!

Thanksgiving Turkey

Start with a brine:

1 gallon of vegetable broth

1 cup of kosher salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup of honey

1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

1/2tablespoon allspice berries

1/2 tablespoon candied ginger

combine all the above ingredients in a large stock pot. Put on medium high heat and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and set aside until the brine comes to room temperature.

Prepare your bird:

make sure your turkey is completely thawed.

Remove all packaging from the neck crevice and the bottom portion.

Pour the brine into a 5 gallon bucket. Add 5 pounds or so of ice. Add the turkey, breast side down.

Place a lid over the bucket and set in a cold room. Continue to add ice to keep the brine cold. Keep the turkey in the brine for 8 to 12 hours. Remove from the bucket and wash well.

Using a clean absorbent towel, dry the turkey. Brush the entire bird with vegetable oil. Salt and pepper the skin. Set the turkey on a baking rack inside of a roasting dish.

Prepare aromatics:

In a small microwave safe dish, add:: 4 to 5 sprigs of sage,

4 to 5 sprigs of Rosemary

half of a white onion, roughly chopped

1 cinnamon stick

1 apple, rough chopped

Add 2 inches of water to the dish and microwave for 5 minutes.

Using tongs, place aromatics inside the cavity of the turkey.

Fit a piece of foil to cover the breast portion of the turkey. Set aside.

Place the turkey legs first into a 500° oven. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into the breast. When 30 minutes is up, reduce the heat to 350°. Cover the breast portion of the turkey with the prepared foil. When the thermometer reaches 162°, remove the turkey from the oven. Cover loosely with foil and allow to set for 45 minutes. Carve the turkey as you wish and place on a serving platter. For step-by-step instructions, refer to the highlights on Instagram under my profile bio.

Print the full Recipe Here!

Happy Thanksgiving!