This Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe will impress your guests with its moist and flavorful meat. Brined to perfection, this turkey is roasted to golden perfection, resulting in a juicy and tender main course that will be the star of your holiday feast.
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 oranges, quartered
- 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 stick of butter, softened
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a large pot, combine salt, brown sugar, oranges, rosemary, onion, and garlic with enough water to submerge the turkey in. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve.
- Place the turkey in the brine, cover the pot, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Rub the softened butter all over the turkey, including under the skin. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Tuck the wing tips under the bird and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Roast the turkey in the oven for 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Enjoy!
