Bridget's Brined Turkey

Elevate your holiday feast with Bridget's Brined Turkey, a show-stopping centerpiece that guarantees moist, flavorful meat and perfectly crisp, golden skin. This recipe combines the magic of an overnight brine infused with kosher salt, brown sugar, fresh herbs, garlic, and citrus, resulting in unparalleled tenderness and depth of flavor. A compound butter with rosemary, thyme, and garlic is tucked under the skin for extra richness, while a final drizzle of olive oil ensures a beautifully roasted finish. With step-by-step techniques from brining to basting, this turkey is easy to prepare, yet utterly impressive. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special gathering, this crowd-pleaser pairs wonderfully with classic sides and will leave your guests raving for years to come.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:1440 mins

Cook Time:210 mins

Total Time:1650 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 turkey Whole turkey (12-14 lbs)
• 1 cup Kosher salt
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 1 gallon Water
• 2 gallons Ice
• 4 sprigs Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
• 3 Bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons Black peppercorns
• 6 cloves Garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 lemon Lemon, halved
• 8 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt (extra, for seasoning)
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper (for seasoning)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the turkey inside and out to remove any residual juices or giblets. Pat it dry with paper towels.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, and 1 gallon of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar completely dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Step 3

In a clean, food-safe container or brining bag large enough to hold your turkey, combine the brine solution with 2 gallons of ice water. Stir to chill the brine mixture.

Step 4

Submerge the turkey in the brine, breast-side down. Ensure the brine fully covers the turkey. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours, flipping the turkey halfway through the brining process.

Step 5

After brining, remove the turkey from the brine and discard the brine solution. Rinse the turkey well under cold water and pat dry with paper towels inside and out.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and garlic for a flavorful compound butter.

Step 8

Carefully loosen the turkey skin over the breasts using your fingers, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub the compound butter generously under the skin, over the breasts, and across the legs and thighs.

Step 9

Drizzle the outside of the turkey with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 10

Stuff the turkey cavity with lemon halves, additional rosemary and thyme sprigs, and bay leaves for enhanced flavor. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking.

Step 11

Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for about 3.5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).

Step 12

Baste the turkey with drippings every 30 minutes after the first hour of cooking to achieve crispy, golden skin.

Step 13

Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Step 14

Carve and serve with your favorite side dishes for a show-stopping meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(14696.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	12729.1

Total Fat 561.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 194.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 3768.0mg	0%
Sodium 117466.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 171.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.9g	0%
Total Sugars 143.7g
Protein 885.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1412.1mg	0%
Iron 48.9mg	0%
Potassium 9495.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.4%

Protein: 38.2%

Carbs: 7.4%