Best 2 Big Brined Herby Turkey Recipes

Thanksgiving is incomplete without a flavorful turkey. This recipe introduces a moist and juicy Big Brined Herby Turkey. The turkey is brined for 12-24 hours in a flavorful brine made with herbs, spices, and citrus. After brining, the turkey is roasted to perfection in the oven, resulting in a succulent and tender bird with crispy, golden-brown skin. Along with the main recipe, this article also includes variations for cooking the turkey in a roasting pan, on a smoker, or in a pellet grill. Additionally, there are recipes for Herb-Butter Mashed Potatoes, Classic Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and Perfect Pumpkin Pie, providing a complete Thanksgiving feast.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HERB-BRINED TURKEY

Herb-Brined Turkey image

For an impressive main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. - Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 4h20m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

2 cups kosher salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
5 fresh sage leaves
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 fresh rosemary sprig
2 quarts water
2 quarts cold water
2 turkey-size oven roasting bags
1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
HERB BUTTER:
2 cups butter, softened
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs
1/3 cup fresh sage leaves
1/3 cup fresh rosemary leaves
1/4 cup fresh thyme leaves
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

In a stockpot, combine the salt, brown sugar, sage, thyme, rosemary and 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours, turning occasionally., Drain and discard brine; rinse turkey and pat dry. Tie drumsticks together. Place the remaining ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub half of the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Rub remaining butter mixture over skin., Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake at 450° for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°; bake 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours longer or until thermometer reads 180°, basting twice during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly., Remove turkey to a serving platter; cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 834 calories, Fat 58g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 314mg cholesterol, Sodium 658mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 73g protein.

GARLIC HERB-BRINED TURKEY

Garlic Herb-Brined Turkey image

Find out just how delicious a turkey can be with our Garlic-Herb Brined Turkey recipe. Our Garlic-Herb Brined Turkey gets its delicious flavor from a combination of rosemary, parsley, garlic and zesty Italian dressing.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Thanksgiving Recipes

Time 11h10m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 fresh turkey (12 lb.)
3 qt. (12 cups) water
1 cup kosher salt
12 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
1 small onion, sliced
8 sprigs fresh parsley
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 bay leaves
1 gal. (4 qt.) ice water
1 bottle (16 oz.) KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing
1/4 cup butter

Steps:

Remove neck and giblets from turkey cavities; discard or reserve for another use. Place turkey in plastic brining bag or turkey-size oven bag.
Bring 3 qt. water, salt, garlic, onions and herbs to boil in 8-qt. stockpot on high heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add ice water and dressing; stir until ice is melted. Slowly pour over turkey in bag; tightly close bag. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 16 hours.
Remove turkey from bag; discard bag and brine. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature 30 min.
Heat oven to 425ºF. Place turkey on rack in roasting pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 20 min. Reduce oven temperature to 375ºF. Melt butter; brush onto turkey.
Bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until turkey is done (165ºF). Transfer to cutting board; tent with foil. Let stand 15 min. before carving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Fat 19 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 255 mg, Sodium 8260 mg, Carbohydrate 5 g, Fiber 0.8377 g, Sugar 3 g, Protein 70 g

Tips:

Brine the turkey for at least 12 hours: Brining the turkey in a flavorful solution helps to keep it moist and juicy during cooking.
Use fresh herbs and spices: Fresh herbs and spices add a delicious flavor to the turkey. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but use about half the amount.
Don't overcook the turkey: Overcooked turkey is dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the turkey rest before carving: Letting the turkey rest before carving allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
Make gravy with the pan drippings: The pan drippings from the turkey are full of flavor. You can use them to make a delicious gravy to serve with the turkey.

Conclusion:

This recipe for Big Brined Herby Turkey is a delicious and easy way to cook a turkey for your next holiday meal. The turkey is brined in a flavorful solution for at least 12 hours, then roasted in the oven with fresh herbs and spices. The result is a moist and juicy turkey that is sure to impress your guests. Serve the turkey with gravy made from the pan drippings and your favorite sides.