Photo: Brined Rosemary Crusted Turkey with Pan Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
Turkey Brine:
- 3/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- One 12 to 14-pound turkey (free-range organic is great!)
Rosemary Crust:
- 3 sticks butter, at room temperature
- 1 bunch fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Kosher salt
Gravy:
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 large celery root, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 bulb fennel, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 5 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh sage, tied in a bundle
- 1 bundle fresh thyme
- Kosher salt
- 1 quart chicken stock, plus more if needed
- 1/2 bottle dry white wine
Directions
For the brine: Combine 8 quarts cold water, the salt, sugar, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, garlic, bay leaves, carrots, celery and onions in a large container. Immerse the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
To prepare the turkey for cooking: Remove the turkey from the brine the night before roasting and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Combine the butter, rosemary and some salt in a small bowl. Taste it to make sure it tastes good. Work the butter under the skin of the turkey and massage it into the breasts and the legs. Massage the butter on the outside of the skin as well. Tie the legs together and over the breast so they will protect it during cooking to help keep it moist and juicy. Place the turkey on a sheet tray and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Pay close attention not to have any food that will not be cooked near the turkey in the fridge.
Thanksgiving Day: Take the turkey out of the fridge 1 hour before placing in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
For the gravy: Place the garlic, celery, onions, celery root, fennel, bay leaves, sage and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Put the chicken stock and wine in the bottom of the roasting pan and place the turkey on top.
Put the turkey in the oven until the skin of the turkey gets really nice and brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the heat of the oven to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan if needed. Think about 17 minutes per pound for the turkey. Tent the turkey with aluminum foil when it gets to the proper color to prevent it from getting too dark.
Remove the turkey from the oven when a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the turkey reads 160 degrees F. Be sure the thermometer is not touching a bone when doing the reading.
When the turkey has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the roasting pan and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
To finish the gravy: Remove the bay leaves, sage and thyme and from the roasting pan. Using an immersion blender, blend the veggies together until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed (it will).
Carve the turkey, and don't fight over the drumsticks.
Give thanks for such a great turkey!!!
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By BlairSollenberger
on March 11, 2013
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We made this for Christmas this past yr with awesome success--best turkey i have ever had. We enjoyed it so much I am brining one this week. This is definitely too good to have to wait for the holidays. Chef Anne, you ROCK!! As always.
By nancy.woolfson_...
Eugene, OR
on November 25, 2012
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Wow! This turkey was incredible! Brining for 3 days makes for a moist, tender turkey. I didn't use 3 sticks of butter - only 2 or less. The gravy is unbelievably good - the celery root gives the gravy a slight earthy flavor. I love not using flour in the gravy. It's smooth and lighter than traditional gravies. Thank you again, Anne, for helping me create a wonderful feast for my friends and family. You were there in spirit.
By marme1029384756
lititz, PA
on April 08, 2012
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Wow! What fabulous recipe! This was the first time I brined a turkey before roasting it and I will never go back. The turkey was so flavorful and moist. The gravy had such interesting flavors and was easy to make. The blended vegetables gave the gravy the perfect consistency. I followed the recipe as stated (with the exception of brining for only 24 hours and I wouldn't change a thing. This recipe won the hearts of my family (even the members who don't even like turkey! I will be making turkey this way again and again.
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