Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey

Recipe courtesy Dave Lieberman

Show: Good Deal with Dave LiebermanEpisode: Thanksgiving For $45

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (34)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(34)

Cook Time:
3 hr 30 min
Level:
--
Yield:
12 to 15 sersvings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 8 hr 0 min
Cook: 3 hr 30 min
Total:: 11 hr 40 min

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Ingredients

1 (12 to 15-pound) turkey

For the brine:

2 gallons water
1 cup sugar
1 cup kosher salt
2 lemons, sliced in 1/2
4 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
Small handful cloves

Directions

Combine all brine ingredients in a container or pot large enough to hold the turkey. Make sure all the sugar and salt have been fully dissolved. Add the turkey and refrigerate about 6 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove turkey from brine and transfer to a roasting pan with a rack. Stuff turkey with the lemon halves, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks used in the brine. Cook turkey for about 3 1/2 hours, basting every 40 minutes or so. If any part of the turkey gets too brown towards the end of cooking, shield with pieces of tin foil. When the turkey is done, juices should run clear from the breast and the legs should pull away from the bird easily. Remove from the heat and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Ricardo Santa Ana, CA 08-20-2009
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GREAT FOR 1ST TIMERS!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I just set my turkey in the fridge with this brine. This will be my 2nd time using this recipe. It's the best brine I've ever... used so far. I love the fragrances this turkey gives off when its cooking. Makes the house smell like the holidays. Moist and tender and the combination of fragrances and tastes while eating it is a new experience for your senses. I highly recommend this one for the holidays.Read more
recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Molly Burien, WA 12-10-2008
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This recipe works very very well
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It makes a previously frozen turkey moist and delicious. I would definitely repeat this recipe to ensure a successful turkey... dinner! I'm now a brining fan! Dave Lieberman makes simple cooking very elegant.Read more
recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
DEBBIE TOLEDO, OH 11-30-2008
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the best turkey ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

First time I ever used a brine. It turned out great. the turkey was beautiful, iIdidn't even want to cut it. I'm glad I did.... Everyony raved about it. I'm still eating it today.Read more
recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Sydney Fort Dodge, IA 11-27-2008
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A perfect turkey!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My fiance and I made this turkey and we both agree that it's the best and most moist turkey we've ever had. The brine was so... simple to make and the recipe was easy to follow. We plan to make this next year as well. Read more
recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Anonymous 11-23-2007
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for my first turkey ever, it was great
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This brine created a perfect turkey! I bought a fresh (unfrozen), locally raised turkey for Thanksgiving, and used the... recipe as written. Everyone invited said it turned out great. The turkey was not dry in the least. For a the fairly simple ingredients in the brine, it produced a very nice taste in the turkey. I'll definitely use this recipe again!Read more
recipe Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Nate Springfield, IL 08-06-2007
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WOW!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

First brined turkey my family ever had. all doubted it but there were no left overs!. The non turmey eater in the family... enjoyed it as well!Read more