Best 2 Roast Turkey Alton Browngiada De Laurentiis Recipes

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Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and delicious food. And no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. In this article, we present two mouthwatering roast turkey recipes from two culinary masters: Alton Brown and Giada De Laurentiis.

Alton Brown, known for his scientific approach to cooking, shares his recipe for a classic roast turkey that is both flavorful and juicy. His unique brining technique helps the turkey absorb more flavor, while his roasting method ensures that the bird is cooked evenly throughout.

On the other hand, Giada De Laurentiis, the Italian-American chef, brings her vibrant culinary style to the table with her roast turkey recipe. Inspired by her Italian heritage, she uses a flavorful blend of herbs and spices to create a turkey that is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Her recipe also includes a delicious gravy made from the turkey drippings, adding an extra layer of richness to the dish.

With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips from both Alton Brown and Giada De Laurentiis, these two roast turkey recipes will guide you to create the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Whether you prefer a classic or a flavorful twist, these recipes have got you covered.

Let's cook with our recipes!

TRADITIONAL ROAST TURKEY



Traditional Roast Turkey image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h15m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

One 14 to 16-pound frozen natural, young turkey
1 gallon vegetable broth, homemade or canned
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
1 1/2 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
1 gallon water, iced
Ice
Canola oil, for roasting

Steps:

  • Two to three days before roasting: Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.
  • Combine the broth, salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice and ginger in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate the brine.
  • The night before you'd like to eat: Truss the legs of the turkey with kitchen twine if desired. Combine the brine, water and ice in a 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey, with innards removed, breast-side down in the brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover and refrigerate or place everything in a cooler. Turn the bird once halfway through brining.
  • Day of roasting: Heat the oven to 500 degrees F. Remove the bird from the brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.
  • Place the bird on a roasting rack inside a half sheet pan and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the bird with canola oil. Roast the bird on the lowest rack of the oven for 30 minutes.
  • While the bird is cooking, fold and shape a double thickness of aluminum foil into a closely fitting breastplate.
  • After 30 minutes, decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and cook until the temperature reaches 155 degrees F. Use the breastplate at any point during cooking should the bird become too brown.
  • Rest the bird, covered lightly with aluminum foil, for 15 to 30 minutes. Carve and serve.

ALTON'S ROAST TURKEY



Alton's Roast Turkey image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 12h

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 (14 to 16-pound) frozen young turkey
1 gallon vegetable stock
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger
1 gallon heavily iced water
1 red apple, quartered
1/2 onion, quartered
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
4 sprigs rosemary
6 leaves sage
Canola oil

Steps:

  • 2-3 days before roasting:
  • Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.
  • Combine the vegetable stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve solids and bring to a boil. Then remove the brine from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.
  • Early on the day or the night before you'd like to eat:
  • Combine the brine, water and ice in the 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey (with innards removed) breast side down in brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area for 8 to 16 hours, turning the bird once half way through brining.
  • Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Remove the bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.
  • Place the bird on roasting rack inside a half sheet pan and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with canola oil.
  • Roast the turkey on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 151 degrees F. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil or a large mixing bowl for 15 minutes before carving.

Tips:

  • Thaw the turkey properly: Place the frozen turkey in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before cooking. For a 12- to 14-pound turkey, it may take up to 3 days to thaw completely.
  • Use a roasting pan with a rack: This will allow the air to circulate around the turkey and help it cook evenly.
  • Season the turkey liberally: Alton Brown recommends using 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper per 4 pounds of turkey. You can also add your favorite herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, sage, or garlic powder.
  • Brush the turkey with butter or oil: This will help the skin to brown and crisp.
  • Roast the turkey at a high temperature for the first 30 minutes: This will help to brown the skin and seal in the juices. Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F and continue to roast until the turkey is cooked through.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey: The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
  • Let the turkey rest before carving: Cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey.

Conclusion:

Whether you're following Alton Brown's or Giada De Laurentiis's recipe, roasting a turkey is a rewarding experience. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a delicious and memorable meal that your family and friends will love. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to roast a perfect turkey!

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