Good Eats Roast Turkey Recipe 🦃
Overview:
This delectable roast turkey recipe, inspired by Alton Brown’s show “Good Eats”, is a surefire way to impress your guests during festive occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas 🎉. The secret to its succulent taste lies in the brining process, which ensures the meat remains moist and flavorful. With a total preparation time of 15 hours and 20 minutes, including brining, this recipe yields a perfectly cooked turkey that will have everyone coming back for seconds! 😋
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey |
| 1 | Cup kosher salt |
| 1/2 | Cup light brown sugar |
| 1 | Tbsp black peppercorns |
| 1 | Allspice berry |
| 1/2 | Candied ginger |
| 1/2 | Red apple |
| 1 | Onion |
| 1 | Cinnamon stick |
| 1 | Rosemary sprig |
| 1 | Sage sprig |
| 4 | Cups water |
| 6 | Cups ice water |
| Canola oil |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Brine:
- In a stockpot, combine kosher salt, light brown sugar, black peppercorns, allspice berry, candied ginger, red apple, onion, cinnamon stick, rosemary, sage, and 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the solids.
- Remove the pot from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the brine until thoroughly chilled.
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Brine the Turkey:
- Early on the day of cooking or the night before, combine the chilled brine with 6 cups of ice water in a clean 5-gallon bucket.
- Place the thawed turkey breast side down in the brine, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Cover the bucket and refrigerate or store it in a cool area for 6 hours, turning the turkey over halfway through.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) a few minutes before roasting.
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Prepare Aromatics:
- In a microwave-safe dish, combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water. Microwave on high for 5 minutes to steep the flavors.
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Prep the Turkey for Roasting:
- Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse it inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack inside a wide, low pan and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the steeped aromatics, rosemary, and sage. Tuck back the wings and liberally coat the entire bird with canola oil.
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Roast the Turkey:
- Roast the turkey on the lowest level of the oven at 500°F (260°C) for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven and cover the breast with a double layer of aluminum foil. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and return the turkey to the oven. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 161°F (72°C).
- A 14-16 pound bird typically requires a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting.
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Rest and Carve:
- Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest, loosely covered with foil, for 15 minutes before carving.
Serving Suggestions:
Slice the succulent roast turkey and serve it alongside your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables, for a memorable holiday feast that will delight friends and family alike! 🍽️✨