Apple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Name: Apple-Brined Turkey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups apple juice; 1 green apple, quartered; 1/2 navel orange; 2 tablespoons coriander seeds; 2 tablespoons fennel seeds; 4 tarragon sprigs; 1 medium bunch of thyme; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning; 8 sage leaves; 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries; 2 whole cloves; 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns; 2 cups light brown sugar; 1 cup kosher salt; One 15-pound turkey, legs and breast separated (see Note); 6 sticks unsalted butter (1 1/2 pounds), at room temperature; 3 tablespoons chopped thyme; 3 tablespoons chopped parsley; 2 tablespoons chopped chives; 2 tablespoons chopped sage; Salt; Freshly ground pepper

Servings: persons

3 cups apple juice
1 green apple, quartered
1/2 navel orange
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons fennel seeds
4 tarragon sprigs
1 medium bunch of thyme
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
8 sage leaves
1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
2 whole cloves
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup kosher salt
One 15-pound turkey, legs and breast separated (see Note)
6 sticks unsalted butter (1 1/2 pounds), at room temperature
3 tablespoons chopped thyme
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 tablespoons chopped sage
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

1
Brine the Turkey In a pot, combine all of the ingredients except the turkey and add 4 cups of water.
2
Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3
Remove from the heat and add 12 cups of cold water.
4
Let stand until cool.
5
Add the turkey and refrigerate for 12 hours.
6
Brine the Turkey Set a rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
7
Remove the turkey from the brine and transfer it to the prepared rack; pat the turkey dry with paper towels and refrigerate it uncovered for 12 hours.
8
Make the Herb Butter In a medium bowl, blend all of the ingredients except the salt and pepper.
9
Make the Herb Butter Set a clean rack over a clean baking sheet and set a large rack in a large roasting pan.
10
Gently separate the turkey skin from the breast meat.
11
Rub half of the herb butter over the breast meat under the skin.
12
Spread the remaining herb butter all over the skin of the breast and legs; season with salt and pepper.
13
Set the breast in the prepared roasting pan and tuck the wings under it.
14
Transfer the legs to the prepared baking sheet.
15
Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
16
Make the Herb Butter Preheat the oven to 400.
17
Roast the turkey for about 2 hours, basting every 15 minutes with the melted herb butter and tenting the breast with foil after 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 in the thickest part of the breast and 180 in the inner thigh.
18
Let rest for 30 minutes.
19
Carve and serve.

1857

kcal

Calories

138

Fat

165

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 23 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 cups apple juice, 1 green apple, quartered, 1/2 navel orange, 2 tablespoons coriander seeds, and more.

Yes, Apple-Brined Turkey falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Apple-Brined Turkey

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions