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!