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Classic Brined and Roasted Turkey 1

Alton Brown's Classic Brined And Roasted Turkey Recipe

Roasted turkey is one of the mains that is irreplaceable on Thanksgiving. This recipe of Alton Brown's Brined and Roasted Turkey will give you the juiciest roasted turkey you could probably ever enjoy!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 3 hours
Thawing Time 8 hours
Total Time 19 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 985 kcal

Equipment

  • Cooler
  • Food Temperature Probe
  • Paper Towels
  • Roasting Pan
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Whisk
  • Large Knife
  • Chopping Board

Ingredients
  

For The Brine

  • 128 oz Vegetable Broth
  • 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 lbs Salt
  • 1/2 gallon Hot Water
  • 8 lbs Ice

For Roasting

  • 18 lbs Turkey
  • 1 no. Onion
  • 2 nos. Carrot
  • 2 nos. Celery
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (at room temperature)
  • 2 sprigs Thyme
  • 2 sprigs Sage
  • 2 sprigs Rosemary
  • Vegetable Cooking Spray

Instructions
 

For Thawing

  • Place wrapped turkey in the 5-gallon cooler with a drain spout. Place the cooler in a bathtub and top the turkey with cold water.
  • Drain and replace the water once in 2-3 hours, ensuring the temperature stays below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This process should take 8 hours.

For Brining

  • Once the turkey is completely thawed, take it out of the cooler and drain the water.
  • Wash the cooler with soap and water, and then add in hot water, salt, and sugar, whisk and let it all dissolve.
  • After the salt and sugar have dissolved, add the vegetable broth and ice.
  • Clean the turkey on the inside, removing any offal, then place it in the brining liquid, ensuring it is completely submerged.
  • Place the cooler in a cool and dry place and turn the turkey once while it is brining.
  • Check the temperature of the liquid and if it goes above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, add some ice packs. This process will also take 8 hours.
  • Once done, take the turkey out of the brining liquid, rinse it under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.

For Roasting

  • Remove all the racks from the oven except the last one, and preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Loosely pack the turkey with herbs and aromatic vegetables.
  • Place the turkey in a large roasting pan with the breast side up.
  • Take a piece of aluminum foil and cover the breast just to get a mold.
  • Take off the foil, spray vegetable spray on the inside and keep it aside.
  • Rub the turkey properly with room temperature unsalted butter, ensuring you get all the corners too.
  • Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and let the turkey roast for 40 minutes.
  • Afterward, take the turkey out and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the foil on top of the turkey breast and insert a probe thermometer in the thickest part.
  • Put the turkey back in the oven and let it roast at 350 degrees for 2.5 hours.
  • Once the thermometer reads 161 degrees Fahrenheit for the breast and 181 degrees Fahrenheit for the leg, take it out of the oven and cover it with foil for 30 minutes.
  • After that, carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite sides!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Portion | Calories: 985kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 109g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 342mg | Sodium: 9405mg | Potassium: 1113mg | Sugar: 20g | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 7mg
Keyword Alton Brown's Classic Brined And Roasted Turkey, Roasted Turkey, Thanksgiving
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