Garlic Herb Brined Turkey Recipes

GARLIC HERB ROAST TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and dried herbs together then cover the turkey all over with it and scatter the remaining seasoning in the cavity of the turkey.
• Place the turkey in a large dish (I just used a large roasting dish). Place in the fridge and allow to dry-brine for up to 24 hours.
• On the day of roasting, take the turkey out of the fridge at least an hour before roasting and allow to come up to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
• Gently loosen the breast skin then add softened butter and sage leaves under the skin.
• If the butter is soft enough, you can just spread it over the breast by pressing it gently.
• Place lemon slices, fresh sage, thyme and rosemary in the cavity then tie the legs together. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and place in a large roasting dish.
• Pour stock around the turkey and add halved garlic bulbs and more sage, thyme and rosemary. Place the turkey in a preheated oven and roast until the turkey is golden brown and cooked through.
• If the meat reaches 74ºC/165ºF in the breast, thigh and drumstick, your turkey should be perfectly cooked. Allow to rest then carve.
• Place the turkey on a large platter and add fresh herbs, the roasted garlic and lemon halves to decorate. Orange halves and pomegranate are also beautiful around a turkey. Serve with all the sides and gravy.

HERB-BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• In a stockpot, combine the salt, brown sugar, sage, thyme, rosemary and 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours, turning occasionally., Drain and discard brine; rinse turkey and pat dry. Tie drumsticks together. Place the remaining ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub half of the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Rub remaining butter mixture over skin., Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake at 450° for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°; bake 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours longer or until thermometer reads 180°, basting twice during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly., Remove turkey to a serving platter; cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving.

LEMON, GARLIC AND HERB DRY-BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix salt, garlic, thyme and lemon peel. Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan. Rub turkey inside and out with salt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 24 hours. Stand up turkey to pour out any collected liquid in cavity. Pour off liquid collected in pan; return to refrigerator uncovered 12 to 24 hours longer.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Pat skin and interior cavity dry with paper towels. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching.
• Place turkey, breast side down, on rack in large roasting pan. Brush entire back side of turkey with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Turn turkey over. Brush entire breast side of turkey with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
• Roast uncovered 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes, brushing twice with pan drippings during last 30 minutes of roasting. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. If meat thermometer is not used, begin testing for doneness after about 3 hours. When turkey is done, place on warm platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.
• While turkey rests, pour drippings from roasting pan into bowl, leaving brown particles in pan. Return 1/4 cup drippings to roasting pan; discard remaining drippings. Stir in flour and pepper.
• Cook over medium heat 1 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Cook 1 minute longer, then stir in broth. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 to 3 minutes or until thickened.

DRY-BRINED TURKEY WITH CLASSIC HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Unwrap the turkey and remove the neck and giblets (reserve for gravy). Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry. Combine 1/3 cup salt, the sugar and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Rub all over the turkey and inside the cavity. Put on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 8 hours or overnight. Rinse well and pat dry. (A dry brine is a good choice if you're short on fridge space.)
• Mix the butter, parsley, sage, thyme, 1 teaspoon pepper, the paprika and cloves until combined. Reserve 4 tablespoons of the butter, then rub the rest under the turkey skin on the breasts and legs. Rub 2 tablespoons of the reserved butter on the skin; chill and save the rest for your gravy. Let the turkey stand 30 minutes at room temperature before roasting.
• Put the oven rack in the lowest position; preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a large roasting pan, tucking the wing tips under. Tie the drumsticks together with twine. Roast until the skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 15 minutes per pound. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving. Whisk the reserved 2 tablespoons flavored butter into your gravy just before serving, if desired.

GARLIC AND HERB ROASTED TURKEY

Steps:

• Pat turkey dry. Combine the seasonings and garlic; rub over the outside and inside of turkey. Place lemon and orange wedges in cavity. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan., Bake at 325° for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly. Remove turkey to a serving platter; Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving., Pour pan drippings and loosened brown bits into a measuring cup. Skim fat, reserving 2 tablespoons. Add enough water to measure 2 cups. In a small saucepan, combine flour and fat until smooth. Gradually stir in drippings. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with turkey.