Brined Whole Turkey

Gluten Free
Health score
19%
Brined Whole Turkey
750 min.
14
416kcal

Suggestions


There's nothing quite like the aroma of a perfectly brined whole turkey wafting through your home, especially during the festive season or a special family gathering. This gluten-free recipe promises a moist and flavorful turkey that will impress your guests and leave them asking for seconds. The brining process infuses the turkey with a delightful blend of savory flavors, ensuring that every bite is tender and juicy.

Imagine the satisfaction of serving a beautifully golden-brown turkey, its skin crisped to perfection, while the inside remains succulent and bursting with flavor. The addition of fresh vegetables and herbs in the cavity enhances the taste, creating a mouthwatering experience that pairs beautifully with your favorite sides. Whether it's a holiday feast or a Sunday dinner, this brined turkey is the star of the show.

With a preparation time of just over 12 hours, including brining, and a roasting time of around 3.5 to 4 hours, this recipe is perfect for those who want to create a memorable meal without the stress. Gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and embark on this culinary adventure that will surely become a cherished tradition in your home. Get ready to carve into a masterpiece that not only looks stunning but also tastes divine!

Ingredients

  • gallons water cold
  • cups kosher salt 
  • 12 pounds turkey whole frozen thawed
  • medium onion cut into fourths
  • medium carrots coarsely chopped
  • medium celery stalks coarsely chopped
  • teaspoon thyme leaves dried
  • tablespoons butter unsalted melted

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • paper towels
  • oven
  • pot
  • roasting pan
  • kitchen thermometer
  • aluminum foil
  • skewers

Directions

  1. Mix cold water and salt in a large clean bucket or stockpot (noncorrosive); stir until salt is dissolved.
  2. Add turkey. Cover and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours.
  3. Heat oven to 325°F.
  4. Remove turkey from brine; discard brine. Thoroughly rinse turkey under cool running water, gently rubbing outside and inside of turkey to release salt. Pat skin and both interior cavities dry with paper towels.
  5. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching. Toss onion, carrot, celery and thyme with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter; place in turkey cavity.
  6. Place turkey, breast side down, on rack in large shallow roasting pan.
  7. Brush entire back side of turkey with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Turn turkey over.
  8. Brush entire breast side of turkey with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone. (Do not add water or cover turkey.)
  9. Roast uncovered 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, brushing twice with pan drippings during last 30 minutes of roasting.
  10. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. If a meat thermometer is not used, begin testing for doneness after about 3 hours. When turkey is done, place on warm platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  11. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories416kcal
Protein58.93%
Fat39.9%
Carbs1.17%

Properties

Glycemic Index
10.77
Glycemic Load
0.31
Inflammation Score
-7
Nutrition Score
25.463913098626%

Flavonoids

Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.07mg
Isorhamnetin
0.39mg
Kaempferol
0.06mg
Quercetin
1.61mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:415.84kcal
20.79%
Fat:18.02g
27.73%
Saturated Fat:5.58g
34.87%
Carbohydrates:1.2g
0.4%
Net Carbohydrates:0.92g
0.33%
Sugar:0.71g
0.79%
Cholesterol:205.2mg
68.4%
Sodium:16507.72mg
717.73%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:59.9g
119.8%
Vitamin B3:21.12mg
105.61%
Selenium:58.91µg
84.16%
Vitamin B6:1.67mg
83.49%
Vitamin B12:3.37µg
56.21%
Phosphorus:509.9mg
50.99%
Zinc:5.04mg
33.59%
Vitamin B2:0.52mg
30.42%
Vitamin B5:2.26mg
22.65%
Vitamin A:965.69IU
19.31%
Magnesium:76.46mg
19.12%
Potassium:649.42mg
18.55%
Copper:0.32mg
15.9%
Iron:2.57mg
14.26%
Vitamin B1:0.14mg
9.28%
Calcium:61.26mg
6.13%
Vitamin D:0.87µg
5.82%
Folate:21.9µg
5.48%
Manganese:0.09mg
4.7%
Vitamin E:0.35mg
2.33%
Vitamin C:1.08mg
1.3%
Fiber:0.28g
1.12%