Brined Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy

Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, 2003

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Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
8 hr 15 min
Prep
1 hr 0 min
Inactive
4 hr 0 min
Cook
3 hr 15 min
Yield:
8 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

Brine:

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1/2 ounce ground cloves
  • 1/2 ounce ground ginger
  • 4 ounces cracked black peppercorns
  • 12 bay leaves
  • 1 pound kosher salt
  • 24 ounces honey
  • 24 ounces maple syrup
  • 1 (10-pound) whole fresh turkey, giblets and neck removed and reserved for stock
  • 1 stick butter, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
  • 2 apples, quartered and cored
  • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 3 sprigs sage
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • 1 cup cubed carrots
  • 1 cup cubed celery
  • 1 cup cubed onions
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup Madeira wine
  • 4 cups turkey stock, recipe follows
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 2 sprigs parsley
  • Beurre manie (2 ounces butter mixed with 2 ounces flour until it forms a soft dough)
  • Salt and pepper

Directions

In a large stockpot, bring the water, cloves, ginger, black peppercorn, bay leaves and salt to a boil. Lower to a simmer and stir in the honey and maple syrup until well blended. Turn off heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold tap water. Reserve the neck and specialty meats for pan gravy. Set the turkey in the brine, making sure that the turkey is fully immersed in the brine. Place a weight on top of the turkey to make sure it is always covered with brine. Marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight, depending on the weight of the turkey, in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a shallow roasting pan, place the carrots, celery and onions. Remove turkey from brine.

Mix together the butter, garlic, chopped rosemary, and sage to make a compound butter. Using your hands, loosen to the skin from the breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the flesh. Rub the compound butter underneath the skin. Insert the apples, onions, and whole rosemary and sage into the cavity of the turkey.

Place the turkey over the vegetables, breast-side up, in the roasting pan. Tuck the wings back and under the turkey. Using kitchen twine, tie the legs together. This will make a compact shape and will create a great presentation. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and rub it into the skin. Roast the turkey to at least 165 degrees F in the breast, about 2 1/2 hours. If the skin gets too dark during roasting, tent with foil.

Transfer turkey to a platter and allow to cool. Meanwhile, prepare the pan gravy.

Tilt the pan and skim as much fat as possible off the juice with a spoon. Set the pan on 2 burners set on medium heat. Deglaze roasting pan with white wine and Madeira. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any brown bits. Reduce until only a quarter remains. Add the turkey stock, thyme and parsley. Bring to a boil and strain into a saucepan. Bring back to a boil, skim and lower to a simmer. Whisk in the beurre manie until well incorporated and continue to cook until gravy has thickened. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Turkey Stock:

  • Giblets and neck from 1 turkey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup port wine
  • 1 cup roughly chopped onions
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped carrots
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped celery
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 5 peppercorns
  • Water, to cover

Heat a saucepan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and heat. Add the neck and giblets and cook until browned all over, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and deglaze with the port. Return the pan to the heat and cook until the port is almost completely evaporated, about 10 minutes.

Add the carrots, onions, celery, rosemary and peppercorns. Cover with cold water by 4-inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for 2 hours, adding a little more water, if necessary. Skim any scum that rises to the surface of the stock and discard.

Strain the stock. Use immediately, or cool and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

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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 187 reviews

  • on November 29, 2012

    Flag

    This is by far the best tasting, most succulent turkey I've ever had and ever will have!! I've tried it with all different turkeys, but the best is either a fresh free range turkey or a Butterball fresh turkey. In addition, Wolfgang's gravy included in this receipe complements this turkey and is a must have as well. Our family loves this so much that my husband and I no longer have turkey once a year. We make this throughout the winter! Once you try this, you will never, ever eat turkey made any other way. A nice complement to this recipe is the pioneer woman, Ree Drummond's "Sweet Roasted Rosemary Acorn Squash." Unfortunately, web link could not be posted, but it can be searched on foodnetwork by typing in the title of Ree's recipe. Enjoy!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 12, 2012

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    I cannot agree more with ALL the reviews here: 1 best recipe hands down 2 first made it like 6 years ago and have made it ever since. Now, every Thanksgiving the only thing we have to decide are the all the sides and desserts. Oh, I am sure everyone can attest to this - never have left over turkey!!

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  • on November 05, 2012

    Flag

    This is, hands down, the best turkey recipe I have EVER made or eaten.

    I will never ever search for another Turkey recipe. This recipe makes the most, succulent, flavorful, delicious turkey and is worth every extra minute it takes to prepare.
    Every time I have made this, my guests have told me it's the best turkey and gravy they have ever tasted. I hesitate to even share the recipe since it's THAT delicious!
    Make sure to make the gravy as well, it is also an OUTSTANDING gravy (the best I have personally ever tried. The extra ingredients are a little pricey (Madeira, Port but sooo worth it and really add a TON of flavor.

    Don't look any further, this turkey is DIVINE. You will not regret it. Your guests will rave! :

    people found this review Helpful.
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