Cider Brined Turkey

Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 9 Reviews
Total Time:
15 hr 40 min
Prep
10 min
Inactive
12 hr 0 min
Cook
3 hr 30 min
Yield:
12 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 head garlic, cut in half
  • 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
  • 1 orange, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 gallon apple cider
  • 1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 8 fresh sage leaves
  • 8 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 6 cups water
  • 6 cups ice
  • 1 (12-pound) turkey, washed and patted dry
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chicken broth
  • Gravy, recipe follows

Directions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the oil garlic, onions, and orange and saute for 4 minutes. Add the cider and bring to a simmer. Add the salt and herbs and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add the water and the ice. Stir until the brine is cooled to at least room temperature. Add the turkey to the pot. The turkey should be completely submerged in the brine. Cover with a lid and put in the refrigerator. Let the turkey brine for a minimum of 12 hours and no more than 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Tuck the wings under the back portion of the breast. Tie the legs together with piece of butcher's twine. Put the turkey, breast side up, in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Add the chicken broth to the roasting pan. Put in the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes per pound, about 3 hours. Make sure to baste the turkey every 20 minutes with the pan drippings. If the turkey begins to brown too quickly tent it loosely with foil. Remove the foil the last 30 minutes of cooking. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board or serving platter and let rest at least 15 minutes before carving.

Gravy:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Pan drippings from roasted turkey
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chicken broth
  • 4 sprigs thyme, leaves removed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until the flour turns a light brown color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in the pan drippings and the chicken broth. Add the thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let the gravy simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Serve with the turkey.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Merlot

Merlot

Jammy, earthy red wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 9 reviews

  • on December 27, 2012

    Flag

    Thank You Sandra for another GREAT recipe keeper!!! I used this Brine our 14.5 lbs. turkey for Christmas Dinner 2012 along side of Giada De Laurentiis "Sweet and Savory Root Vegetable Stuffing". We were amazed at the Moistness and flavor of the turkey (even the white meat. Everyone enjoyed the turkey including those that don't normally like turkey because it is normally DRY!!! I cooked the turkey without a bag on a rack. The gravy was also fantastic!!!! This simple brining recipe is well worth the effort!!!!

    I WILL MAKE THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

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  • on December 30, 2011

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    This brine made an awesome turkey. I have made several over the years and this was the best ever. I doubt I ever will use another brine recipe for a whole turkey. After brining the turkey, I used the Barefoot Contessa Perfect Roast Turkey recipe. It was a perfect combination!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 15, 2011

    Flag

    This brine was wonderful. We didn't notice a lot of flavor added to the turkey, but it was so juicy and tender. My husband said it was the first time he enjoyed cutting the turkey because it just literally fell off the bone. There was no meat left on the entire carcass. My mother talked about how wonderful it was in her sunday school class and they all want the recipe.

    people found this review Helpful.
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