Perfect Alton Brown Good Eats Roast Turkey Recipe

Name: Alton Brown Good Eats Roast Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 720 min
Total time: 855 min
Ingredients: 16 Pounds Frozen Natural, Young Turkey; 1 Gallon Vegetable Broth; 1 Cup Kosher Salt; ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar; 1 Tablespoon Black Peppercorns; 1½ Teaspoons Allspice Berries; 1½ Teaspoons Chopped Candied Ginger; 1 Gallon Heavily Iced Water; For The Aromatics; 1 Red Apple; ½ Yellow Onion; 1 Cup Water; 4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary; 6 Leaves Fresh Sage (marjoram, or additional rosemary.); Canola Oil

Recipe Pin

Thanksgiving means celebrating good times with family with lots of food, and if you are the one who loves traditional meals, then you need to try Alton Brown’s Good Eats Roast Turkey.

Trust me, this recipe may take a little extra time, but once it is done, you will love each bite of it. So tender and juicy that you will want to eat the dish even after the celebrations are over.

Just don’t be intimidated by the recipe because it may look complicated, but once you get the hang of it, you will make it every other year.

The best part is that instead of endless basting or secret family tricks, this recipe focuses on moisture, heat, and timing. So, give it a try and thank me later for this amazing recommendation.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Large Stockpot: I use a large stockpot for making the brine.
5-gallon Cooler: Make sure to use a 5-gallon cooler to brine the turkey.
Measuring Cups & Spoons: I would suggest using measuring cups and spoons to measure the ingredients accurately.
Tongs: A tong would come in handy to toss the turkey while cooking.
Oven: Use a preheated oven to roast the turkey nicely.
Half-sheet Pan: I prefer using a half-sheet pan, which collects all the drippings.
Paper Towels: Make sure to use a paper towel to pat dry the turkey before roasting.
Heavy-duty Aluminum Foil: I use an aluminum foil to create the turkey breast shield.
Microwave-safe Dish: Use a microwave-safe dish to steep apples, onion, and spices.
Probe Thermometer: A probe thermometer would be perfect to use to check the temperature of the turkey.
Cutting Board: I use a cutting board for resting and carving the turkey.
Carving Knife: Make sure to use a carving knife to get clean cuts.

Alton Brown Good Eats Roast Turkey Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 10-12 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities for more or fewer servings.

1 (14- to 16-pound) Frozen Natural, Young Turkey: If you want, you can use fresh turkey meat. Just reduce the brining time a little, and you are good to go.
1 Gallon Vegetable Broth: You can use chicken or turkey broth in the recipe.
1 Cup Kosher Salt: Go for sea salt or any other regular salt in the recipe.
½ Cup Light Brown Sugar: You can use any sweetener instead of brown sugar. Go for monk fruit to make it a little healthier.
1 Tablespoon Black Peppercorns: Crushed black pepper or white peppercorns are good alternatives for black peppercorns.
1½ Teaspoons Allspice Berries: Ground allspice would also work if you don’t have allspice berries.
1½ Teaspoons Chopped Candied Ginger: I would suggest using fresh ginger for a refreshing note.
1 Gallon Heavily Iced Water
For The Aromatics

For The Aromatics

1 Red Apple, Quartered: If you don’t have a red apple, you can opt for a green apple or even a pear.
½ Yellow Onion, Quartered: White onions are a great substitute for yellow onions.
1 Cup Water
4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary: Thyme, oregano, or even bay leaves would work instead of rosemary.
6 Leaves Fresh Sage: Try adding tarragon, marjoram, or additional rosemary.
Canola Oil: You can use any kind of cooking oil that has a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.

How Much Time Will You Need To Make Alton Brown’s Good Eats Roast Turkey?

Preparation Time	Resting Hour	Resting Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	12 Hours	2 Hours	14 Hours 15 Minutes

How To Make Alton Brown’s Good Eats Roast Turkey At Home

Step 1

Take a stockpot, add vegetable broth and a cup of water.

Step 2

Further, add salt, brown sugar, black peppercorns, allspice, and candied ginger. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then cool until it reaches room temperature.

Step 3

Once the brine has cooled to room temperature, add the turkey to the bowl.

Step 4

Let it rest for about 8-12 hours.

Step 5

Then place the apples, cinnamon, onions, and water in a baking dish.

Step 6

Microwave it for 5 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse it with cold water.

Step 8

Put the roasted apples, cinnamon, and onions into the turkey cavity.

Step 9

Season the cavity with rosemary and sage.

Step 10

Coat the turkey skin with canola oil.

Step 11

Put the turkey, covered with foil, in the oven and roast for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Then, remove the foil and roast for 45 more minutes.

Step 12

Once it is roasted, let the turkey rest for about 15 minutes before carving.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always make sure the brine is cooled before adding it to the turkey.
Make sure to dry the turkey so that it’s not too moist, as it roasts more evenly.
Once the turkey is roasted on high heat, add the foil triangle to shield the breast at the right moment.
When stuffing the turkey, make sure you don’t overstuff it.
Follow the size-based cooking times to ensure your turkey is fully cooked.
If you want to check if your turkey is cooked, use a probe thermometer to be extra sure.

FAQs About Alton Brown’s Good Eats Roast Turkey

Can I skip the brining step to make the roast turkey?

Yes, you can skip the brining step to make this roast turkey recipe. You can opt for dry brine if you are short on time.

Why is the turkey roasted at such a high temperature initially?

The turkey is roasted at high temperature initially so that the turkey is crisp to the skin and kick-start browning.

How long should I rest the turkey before carving?

I would suggest letting the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before you carve out. This way, the turkey comes out to be more juicer and tender.

Which rack should I place the turkey on for cooking?

It is best to cook the turkey on the lower rack so that heat is evenly distributed and the turkey comes out crisp and tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

If you ask me, this Alton Brown’s Good Eats Roast Turkey is super rich in protein and contains a very low carb level. However, just make sure to consume the dish in moderation so that you don’t feel heavy.

Calories	672 kcal
Carbohydrates	17 g
Protein	93 g
Fat	24 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	6 g
Monounsaturated Fat	8 g
Trans Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	309 mg
Sodium	11194 mg
Potassium	1018 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	14 g
Vitamin A	930 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	84 mg
Iron	4 mg

If you want, you can always tweak the recipe to suit your dietary needs.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Low Sodium Version: I would suggest reducing the amount of salt in the brine and shortening the brining time slightly. This way, the recipe will have less sodium content.
Keto Friendly: The recipe calls for brown sugar. To make it keto-friendly, you can switch the brown sugar with a sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit.

Storing This Recipe

Refrigeration: Let the turkey cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Now, you can refrigerate the turkey for a few days.
Freezing: For longer storage, wrap the turkey in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe container.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I really love to pair roasted turkey with Mashed Potatoes. You can even serve something fancy like Roasted Cauliflower or Roasted Squash Hummus. Go for a simple side dish like Green Beans Recipe, and you are good to go.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

Turkey-Gravy-by-Chef-John-Recipe — Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Roast Chicken Jamie Oliver Style — Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Conclusion

When it comes to roast turkey, Alton Brown’s recipe is hard to beat. The ingredients are few and the method is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for even the novice cook.

If you are looking for a delicious roast turkey recipe that is sure to impress your guests, look no further than Alton Brown’s Good Eats roast turkey.

If you tried this recipe, share your experience in the comments below. Try other Thanksgiving recipes and enjoy your feast.