Brined Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Name: Brined Thanksgiving Turkey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 (32 ounce) containers chicken broth; 1 cup apple juice (optional); 1 cup light brown sugar; 1 cup kosher salt; 2 tablespoons dried sage; 4 peppercorns; 4 red apples, halved; 5 cloves garlic, crushed; 10 pounds ice cubes, or as needed; 1 (20 pound) turkey whole turkey - thawed, neck and giblets removed; 3 apples, cored and quartered; 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges; 3 cloves garlic; 6 fresh sage leaves; 3 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed

Servings: persons

4 (32 ounce) containers chicken broth
1 cup apple juice (optional)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons dried sage
4 peppercorns
4 red apples, halved
5 cloves garlic, crushed
10 pounds ice cubes, or as needed
1 (20 pound) turkey whole turkey - thawed, neck and giblets removed
3 apples, cored and quartered
1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
3 cloves garlic
6 fresh sage leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed

1
Stir chicken broth, apple juice, brown sugar, salt, dried sage, and peppercorns together in a large stock pot; add apple halves and crushed garlic cloves. Bring the mixture just to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove from heat immediately.
2
Pour enough ice into a large food-safe container to be about half full. Pour chicken broth mixture over the ice; stir to cool liquid completely and evenly.
3
Gently lower turkey into the liquid with the breast facing down.
4
Brine turkey 24 to 36 hours, adding ice as needed to keep the brine and turkey cold.
5
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
6
Remove turkey from the brine and rinse well with cold water. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
7
Mix apple quarters, onion wedges, whole garlic cloves, and fresh sage leaves in a bowl; loosely stuff into cavity of turkey. Move the turkey to a shallow roasting pan. Lightly coat the turkey's skin with olive oil.
8
Bake the turkey in the preheated oven until the skin on the breast of the turkey is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
9
Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), cover turkey with aluminum foil, and continue roasting the turkey until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 6 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

693

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

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

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

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

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 (32 ounce) containers chicken broth, 1 cup apple juice (optional), 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup kosher salt, and more.

Yes, Brined Thanksgiving 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.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Brined Thanksgiving Turkey

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions