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Brined Whole Turkey
Recipes
Brined Whole Turkey
12 servings
27 hours, 30 minutes total (Active 30 minutes)

Ingredients

  • 1 GreenWise whole turkey (12–14 lb)
  • 1 (6-inch) piece fresh ginger root
  • 6 tablespoons coriander seeds (or 2 tablespoons ground coriander)
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 gallons spring water, divided
  • 1 ½ cups kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 lemon, for zest
  • Nonstick aluminum foil

Steps

    1. Thaw turkey, if needed; peel and slice ginger. Place cinnamon in 16-quart stockpot on medium; cook and stir 4–5 minutes until toasted. Add coriander, ginger, salt, sugar, and ½ gallon water; bring to a boil and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved.
    2. Remove pot from heat; pour in remaining 1 ½ gallons water and let stand to cool completely. Place turkey in brine (wash hands); cover and chill 24 hours.
    3. Preheat oven to 325°F; set butter out to soften. Zest lemon (1 tablespoon). Line roasting pan with foil; place rack in pan. Remove turkey from brine and drain well, then place on rack in roasting pan; pat dry with paper towels.
    4. Whip butter and lemon zest until combined. Rub turkey with butter mixture; bake per package instructions until browned and 165°F. Let stand 15 minutes to rest before carving. Serve.
Other Preparation Methods
    • Dry brine: Combine ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup kosher salt, 3 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tablespoon ground coriander. Place 12–14 lb turkey on rack in foil-lined roasting pan and coat with seasoning mixture (wash hands), then chill 24 hours. Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat turkey lightly with paper towels to remove any excess seasoning mixture; bake per package instructions until browned and 165°F. Let stand 15 minutes to rest before carving.

If fruits and vegetables are part of this recipe, be sure to wash thoroughly.

Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with soap and water after any contact with raw meat, seafood, or eggs.
Do not reuse marinades.
Do not rinse raw meat.

Amount per 1⁄12 recipe serving: Calories 570, Total Fat 26g, Sat Fat 10g, Trans Fat 0g, Chol 305mg, Sodium 1420mg, Total Carb 3g, Fiber 0g, Total Sugar 3g, (Incl. 3g Added Sugars), Protein 74g, Vitamin D 6%, Calc 4%, Iron 15%, Potassium 15%