Jeffs Turkey Brine Recipes

CRISPY-SKINNED HERB-ROASTED TURKEY

Steps:

• Three days before cooking the turkey, rinse, clean and dry the turkey thoroughly.
• In a food processor, pulse the salt, granulated garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, orange zest and rosemary until still coarse but uniform, about 10 times. Rub the inside of the turkey with the salt mix. Then carefully slip your fingers under the breast skin and rub a liberal amount UNDER the skin. Flip the turkey on its side and sprinkle more of the salt mixture on the thigh, wing and leg. Repeat on other side.
• Place the bird in a large zipper-top bag or brining bag. (If neither is available, cover in plastic wrap.) Place the bird on a wire rack on a sheet pan breast-side up, and place in the fridge away from any raw food (on a lower shelf). Leave in the fridge for 3 days.
• On the night before cooking, remove the turkey from the fridge and take it out of the plastic. The skin should be dry and the salt should be dissolved. If any large patches of moisture are present, wipe with paper towels. Place back in the fridge, uncovered, for another 8 hours to dry out.
• On the day of, take the turkey out of the fridge 1 hour before cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Fit a roasting pan with a wire v-rack.
• Put the turkey in the roasting pan and brush with the melted butter. Roast for 30 minutes. Turn the heat down to 325 degrees F and roast, basting occasionally, until the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about another 2 hours. Let the turkey rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving.

DRY-BRINED FRIED TURKEY

Steps:

• Before dry brining, it is best to measure the frying vessel-to-turkey-ratio to keep the skin nice and dry. Place the turkey in the fryer with the legs pointed down and fill with water until the turkey is barely submerged. Mark where water line is at (on the outside of the vessel). Take out the turkey and proceed with the below.
• Put the salt, granulated garlic, black pepper and herbs in a food processor. Pulse until fine and uniform. Rub the inside and outside of the turkey with the spice mixture. Using your fingers, carefully separate the breast skin from the meat and rub the spice mix directly on the breast meat. Place on a wire-racked baking sheet and let it sit uncovered in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Heat the oil in a turkey fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Carefully submerge the turkey into the oil, legs down. Fry until the thickest part of the breast registers 145 degrees F-- this could take 20 to 25 minutes (the bird is so hot it will carry over and perfectly hit the recommended temp). Watch the temperature of the oil and attempt to keep it at 350 the entire time.
• Take the turkey out of the oil and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

ULTIMATE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot. Stir salt and sugar into the water until dissolved; bring water again to a boil. Add cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, and thyme to the water, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook mixture at a simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Refrigerate brine until completely cooled.