Lauren's Apple Cider Roast Turkey

Ingredients

• 1 gallon apple cider 
• 0.3 teaspoon thyme leaves dried
• 1.5 cups kosher salt 
• 0.3 cup olive oil extra-virgin
• 0.3 teaspoon poultry seasoning 
• 1.5 gallons water 
• 1 cup sugar white
• 16 pound turkey whole

Equipment

• bowl
• paper towels
• oven
• pot
• roasting pan
• kitchen thermometer
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
2. Mix water, apple cider, kosher salt, and sugar in a large pot or 5-gallon food-grade bucket, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Submerge the turkey in the brine, cover the container, and place in refrigerator, 8 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
4. Remove turkey from brine and discard used brine.
5. Place turkey with breast side up into a roasting pan; pat turkey and cavity dry with paper towels. Loosen turkey skin over the breast and thighs with your fingers.
6. Mix olive oil, thyme, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Rub the seasoned oil over the turkey and underneath the loosened skin. Cover turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
7. Roast in the preheated oven until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching bone, reads 165 to 175 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C), 4 to 4 1/2 hours.
8. Remove foil tent about 45 minutes before end of roasting time to let the skin brown.
9. Let turkey rest 30 to 45 minutes before carving.