Emeril's Brined and Roasted Turkey

Transform your holiday feast into an unforgettable culinary experience with Emeril's Brined and Roasted Turkey. This recipe takes your classic roast turkey to the next level with a flavorful citrus-herb brine made from oranges, lemons, rosemary, thyme, and garlic, ensuring every bite is bursting with juiciness and zest. The turkey is then expertly roasted to golden perfection, with a buttery, well-seasoned crisp skin that seals in the succulence. Perfectly complemented by aromatics like onion, carrots, and celery, this show-stopping centerpiece is ideal for Thanksgiving or any festive occasion. With step-by-step instructions for brining, seasoning, and cooking, you'll achieve a juicy, tender turkey that will wow your guests. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a holiday host-to-be, this roasted turkey recipe guarantees delicious results every time!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:280 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 14 pounds Turkey
• 2 gallons Water
• 1 cup Salt
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 2 pieces Oranges, quartered
• 2 pieces Lemons, quartered
• 5 sprigs Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 5 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
• 10 cloves Garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 tablespoon Black peppercorns
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 piece Onion, quartered
• 2 pieces Carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 pieces Celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 cups Chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the brine by combining water, salt, brown sugar, oranges, lemons, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and black peppercorns in a large pot. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely.

Step 2

Submerge the turkey in the brine, ensuring it is fully covered. Cover the pot and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, preferably overnight.

Step 3

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.

Step 4

Rub the softened butter evenly under the skin of the turkey. Brush the outside with olive oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 5

Stuff the turkey cavity with the quartered onion, carrots, and celery. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wingtips underneath the bird.

Step 6

Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to keep the bird moist during cooking.

Step 7

Roast the turkey, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (75°C). This should take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours for a 14-pound turkey.

Step 8

If the turkey's skin begins to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 9

Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(15630.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	10148.5

Total Fat 178.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.3g
Cholesterol 4950.2mg	0%
Sodium 146245.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 225.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.8g	0%
Total Sugars 180.1g
Protein 1845.6g	0%

Vitamin D 762.0IU	0%
Calcium 1673.4mg	0%
Iron 48.6mg	0%
Potassium 17957.0mg	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: 16.3%

Protein: 74.6%

Carbs: 9.1%