Best 11 Turkey Brine With Wine Martha Stewart Recipes

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Martha Stewart's turkey brine with wine is a flavorful and easy way to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey. It results in a moist, juicy bird with a crispy skin. This recipe uses a combination of dry and wet brining to ensure that the turkey is seasoned all the way through. Martha's wet brine is a mixture of water, sugar, salt, bay leaves, peppercorns, and wine. The dry brine is a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. The turkey is brined for 24 hours in the wet brine, then patted dry and rubbed with the dry brine before roasting.

The article also includes tips for choosing the right turkey, how to prepare the turkey for brining, and how to roast the turkey to perfection.

This recipe includes 4 different brines plus the dry rub. Brine it up to 3 days. Choose either the overnight wet brine, the quick wet brine, the dry brine or the spatchcock turkey brine. Make your Thanksgiving stress-free with these brining tips and trick from Martha Stewart.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ROASTED DRY-BRINED TURKEY



Roasted Dry-Brined Turkey image

A dry-brined turkey is so much easier to prepare than a wet-brined turkey-and the clean-up process is easier, too. For a beautiful, natural garnish, arrange fresh sage and bay leaves, cracked walnuts, and cranberries around the roasted turkey.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Yield Serves 12 to 14

Number Of Ingredients 14

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
14 dried bay leaves, 10 crushed, 4 left whole
1 whole fresh turkey (22 to 24 pounds), giblets and neck reserved for Simple Giblet Stock
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for baking dish if needed
1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
Leek-Celery Root Stuffing
1 cup water, plus more if needed
Pan drippings, reserved from turkey
1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Simple Giblet Stock, or 4 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium turkey or chicken stock
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Make the turkey: Combine 2/3 cup salt and crushed bay leaves in a small bowl. Rinse inside and outside of turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub 2 tablespoons salt mixture evenly inside turkey cavity, 2 tablespoons on each leg portion, 1 1/2 teaspoons on each wing, and 2 tablespoons on each breast. Place turkey in a large oven bag and seal tightly, removing any trapped air. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate for 48 hours.
  • Remove turkey from bag, and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Combine 1 stick butter, the wine, and whole bay leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees with rack in lowest position. Rinse inside and outside of turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Tuck wings under turkey. Season cavity with salt and pepper, and loosely fill it with 4 cups stuffing. (To bake remaining stuffing, see Leek-Celery Root Stuffing). Tie legs together with kitchen string. Rub remaining 1/2 stick butter on turkey, and season with salt and pepper. Pour water into roasting pan.
  • Place turkey, legs first, into oven. Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with butter-wine mixture. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, and roast, basting with butter-wine mixture every 30 minutes, for 2 1/2 hours. (Add more water to roasting pan if necessary to prevent pan drippings from burning.) Rotate pan, and roast until skin is golden brown and thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) and center of stuffing register 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer 30 to 45 minutes more. (If turkey is done before the stuffing, remove turkey from oven, and spoon stuffing into a buttered baking dish, and continue to roast until golden and center registers 165 degrees.) Transfer turkey to a rimmed baking sheet, reserving pan juices and roasting pan, and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
  • Make the pan gravy: Pour reserved pan juices into a glass measuring cup or a gravy separator, and let stand until fat rises to the surface, about 10 minutes. Pour or spoon off fat.
  • Place reserved roasting pan on 2 burners over medium heat. Add wine, and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping browned bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk flour and giblet stock in a large bowl until combined. Add defatted pan juices, whisking to combine, then pour into roasting pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat, and whisk in butter. Strain through a sieve, and discard solids. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
  • To carve the turkey: Place the turkey in front of you, breast side up, and use your hand to hold it steady. Cut through kitchen string, and discard. Remove drumsticks first by placing a knife against the thigh, cutting alongside body, and slicing through the skin to expose the joint. Apply pressure at the joint with the tip of the knife, then twist the knife, and cut through the joint to release the drumstick. Repeat on the other side. (For a video how-to, see How to Carve Turkey Like a Pro.)
  • Use a long-handled spoon to scoop out the stuffing, and transfer it to a serving bowl. Slice the thigh meat from the bone.
  • Place the knife horizontally at the bottom curve of the breast, and slice in toward the rib cage along the length of the breast to create a "guide cut." Then make a vertical slice from the top down alongside the rib cage to loosen the breast meat. Cut the breast vertically into 1/4-inch-thick slices, being careful to preserve some skin. Repeat on the other side. Insert the knife tip at wing joint closest to the turkey, and twist to release wing. Repeat on the other side.

TURKEY BRINE WITH WINE - MARTHA STEWART



Turkey Brine With Wine - Martha Stewart image

Martha's words: Soaking a turkey overnight in a solution of salt and water ensures moist results. When you add aromatics to the brine, the resulting roast is also infused with a subtle character all its own. Follow Martha's instructions to prepare a perfect brined turkey for your next feast. Makes enough brine for one 18- to 20-pound turkey. Used roasting method from recipe#442389. The result was amazing!

Provided by Chicagoland Chef du

Time P1DT30m

Yield 10 quarts Brine Solution, 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

7 quarts water
1 1/2 cups coarse salt
6 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
1 tablespoon dried juniper berries
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon mustard seeds, black, brown choose either one
18 -20 lbs fresh whole turkey, patted dry, neck and giblets reserved for stock, liver reserved for stuffing
1 (750 ml) bottle dry riesling wine, I used 1/2 bottle
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bunch fresh thyme

Steps:

  • Tools and Materials:.
  • 5-gallon brining container (tub, stockpot, or bucket).
  • Large brining or oven-roasting bag.
  • Refrigerator (or a cooler with ice).
  • One day before roasting turkey, bring 1 quart water, the salt, bay leaves, and spices to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Step 2: Submerge the Turkey. I used a brining bag.
  • To minimize cleanup, line a 5-gallon container with a large brining or oven-roasting bag. Place turkey in bag. Add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts (24 cups) water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag; if turkey is not submerged, weight it with a plate. Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once.
  • If there isn't room in your refrigerator, place the bagged bird inside a cooler, and surround it with ice, replenishing as necessary to keep it at 40 degrees.
  • Step 3: Remove and Roast.
  • Remove turkey from brine one hour before you're ready to roast it, and pat it dry inside and out. Let stand for up to 1 hour before roasting it to your preferred recipe's specifications.

THE BEST TURKEY BRINE



The Best Turkey Brine image

This is our go-to brine for turkey. It's simple, flavorful and most importantly leaves you with a succulent, juicy, perfectly-seasoned bird. It's also perfect for chicken, pork chops, Cornish game hens - you name it. While we like the combination of thyme and sage, you can also use other hearty herbs such as rosemary, oregano or marjoram.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     condiment

Time 10m

Yield 12 to 14 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
One 12- to 14-pound turkey
3 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
5 thyme branches
3 sage sprigs
1 lemon, zest peeled into strips with a vegetable peeler

Steps:

  • Combine 1/2 cup salt, the sugar and 1 quart water in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the peppercorns, thyme, sage and lemon strips. Let steep and cool to room temperature.
  • Pour the brine into a large stockpot or bucket and add 3 quarts cold water. Remove the neck and giblets (reserve for gravy) from the turkey and put it into the brine, pushing it down to cover. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Remove the turkey from the brine; rinse and pat dry. Cook according to your favorite method.

SPICED BUTTERMILK-BRINED TURKEY



Spiced Buttermilk-Brined Turkey image

Fragrant spices such as coriander seeds, bay leaves, juniper berries, fennel seeds, and peppercorns permeate the buttermilk brine for this holiday centerpiece. It's an easy way to create big flavor with your bird this Thanksgiving.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Yield Makes one 18- to 20-pound turkey

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 cups coarse salt
6 bay leaves
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 tablespoon juniper berries
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
1 turkey (18 to 20 pounds), rinsed, neck and giblets reserved for stock, liver reserved for stuffing, if desired
3 quarts buttermilk
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bunch fresh thyme

Steps:

  • Bring 1 quart water, salt, bay leaves, and spices to a simmer in a medium saucepan, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool 5 minutes.
  • Line a 5-gallon container with a large brining bag. Place turkey in bag with 4 quarts water, salt mixture, buttermilk, onions, garlic, and thyme; tie bag. (If turkey is not submerged, weight it down with a plate.) Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once.
  • Remove turkey from brine; discard brine. Rinse turkey and pat dry. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Tie turkey legs and tuck wing tips under. Transfer to a large roasting pan fitted with a rack. Place in oven, legs first, if oven permits. Roast 45 minutes, then lower temperature to 325 degrees and roast, rotating and basting about every 30 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Let stand at least 30 minutes before carving.

TURKEY BRINE WITH BROWN SUGAR



Turkey Brine with Brown Sugar image

Brown sugar and two types of salt join a bevy of spices and fresh herbs in this flavorful brine for your Thanksgiving turkey.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
1/2 pound kosher salt (1 1/2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons sea salt
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
3 cloves garlic
4 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs parsley
1 fresh turkey (14 pounds), giblets removed and reserved

Steps:

  • Wrap seeds, peppercorns, and bay leaves in a square of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine. Bring 2 gallons water, both salts, and brown sugar to a boil in a very large pot, stirring to dissolve. Add bundle, garlic, thyme, and parsley. Let cool completely. Fully submerge turkey, weighting it down with a plate topped with cans if necessary. (In lieu of a large pot, you can use a brining bag.) Refrigerate turkey overnight.

PERFECT ROAST TURKEY 101



Perfect Roast Turkey 101 image

This recipe yields a plump and regal roast turkey, with crisp, golden-brown skin and an aroma to match.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

One 20- to 21-pound fresh whole turkey, giblets and neck removed from cavity and reserved
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
One 750-ml bottle dry white wine
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Classic Stuffing
1 cup dry red or white wine, for gravy (optional)
Giblet Stock

Steps:

  • Rinse turkey with cool water, and dry with paper towels. Let stand for 2 hours at room temperature.
  • Place rack on lowest level in oven. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine melted butter and white wine in a bowl. Fold a large piece of cheesecloth into quarters and cut it into a 17-inch, 4-layer square. Immerse cheesecloth in the butter and wine; let soak.
  • Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack in a heavy metal roasting pan. If the turkey comes with a pop-up timer, remove it; an instant-read thermometer is a much more accurate indication of doneness. Fold wing tips under turkey. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper inside turkey. Fill large cavity and neck cavity loosely with as much stuffing as they hold comfortably; do not pack tightly. (Cook remaining stuffing in a buttered baking dish for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.) Tie legs together loosely with kitchen string (a bow will be easy to untie later). Fold neck flap under, and secure with toothpicks. Rub turkey with the softened butter, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper.
  • Lift cheesecloth out of liquid, and squeeze it slightly, leaving it very damp. Spread it evenly over the breast and about halfway down the sides of the turkey; it can cover some of the leg area. Place turkey, legs first, in oven. Cook for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, baste cheesecloth and exposed parts of turkey with butter and wine. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to cook for 2 1/2 more hours, basting every 30 minutes and watching pan juices; if the pan gets too full, spoon out juices, reserving them for gravy.
  • After this third hour of cooking, carefully remove and discard cheesecloth. Turn roasting pan so that the breast is facing the back of the oven. Baste turkey with pan juices. If there are not enough juices, continue to use butter and wine. The skin gets fragile as it browns, so baste carefully. Cook 1 more hour, basting after 30 minutes.
  • After this fourth hour of cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Do not poke into a bone. The temperature should reach 180 degrees (stuffing should be between 140 degrees and 160 degrees) and the turkey should be golden brown. The breast does not need to be checked for temperature. If legs are not yet fully cooked, baste turkey, return to oven, and cook another 20 to 30 minutes.
  • When fully cooked, transfer turkey to a serving platter, and let rest for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the gravy. Pour all the pan juices into a glass measuring cup. Let stand until grease rises to the surface, about 10 minutes, then skim it off. Meanwhile, place roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup dry red or white wine, or water, to the pan. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the pan until liquid boils and all the crisp bits are unstuck from pan. Add giblet stock to pan. Stir well, and bring back to a boil. Cook until liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the defatted pan juices, and cook over medium-high heat 10 minutes more. You will have about 2 1/2 cups of gravy. Season to taste, strain into a warm gravy boat, and serve with turkey.

BRINED AND ROASTED TURKEY



Brined and Roasted Turkey image

Serve up a succulent turkey that has a balance of moist white and dark meat using chef Chris Schlesinger's technique for preparing and roasting a bird.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 gallons cold water
2 cups bourbon
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons coarse salt
1 cup sugar
1 twelve- to fifteen-pound turkey, giblets removed and rinsed
1 tablespoon freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Cornbread, Apple, and Sausage Stuffing
4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or low-sodium canned
2 medium onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley stems (about 1 bunch)
Thanksgiving Gravy, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • In a pot large enough to accommodate the turkey, combine 2 gallons water, the bourbon, 2 cups salt, and the sugar. Stir to dissolve salt and sugar. Add turkey, and refrigerate for 18 to 36 hours.
  • Remove turkey from the brine, and dry well with paper towels. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons salt and the white and black pepper. Rub the inside and outside of the turkey with the salt-and-pepper mixture. Fill the large cavity and neck cavity with as much stuffing as they hold comfortably. Do not pack tightly, or the stuffing will not cook through. (If all the stuffing does not fit, simply transfer the extra to a buttered baking dish, and bake covered, for 30 minutes and uncovered for 15 minutes more in a 375 degree oven.) Tie the legs together loosely with kitchen twine. Fold the neck flap under, and secure with toothpicks. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack in a heavy metal roasting pan. Fold the wing tips under the turkey.
  • Soak a clean kitchen towel in the chicken stock. Lift the towel out of the stock, and squeeze it slightly, leaving it very damp. Spread it evenly over the turkey. Place the turkey in the oven so breast is facing the front of the oven. Roast for 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the towel. Turn roasting pan so the breast is facing the back of the oven. Baste turkey with pan juices. The skin gets fragile as it browns, so baste carefully. Add onions, carrots, celery, and parsley stems to the roasting pan around the turkey. Roast 1 hour more, basting after 30 minutes.
  • Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Do not poke into a bone. The temperature should reach 165 degrees and the turkey should be golden brown. The breast does not need to be checked for temperature. If the legs are not fully cooked, baste the turkey, return to the oven, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • When fully cooked, remove the turkey from the oven, and let it rest, covered, for at least 20 minutes. Transfer to a carving board. Make the gravy, and serve with turkey.

TURKEY BRINE



Turkey Brine image

Keeping your bird juicy isn't that hard-all you need is the right seasoning and a really large fridge. Brining is the first step in our roasted turkey recipe.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Yield Makes enough brine for one 18- to 20-pound turkey

Number Of Ingredients 13

7 quarts (28 cups) water
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
6 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
1 tablespoon dried juniper berries
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
1 fresh whole turkey (18 to 20 pounds), patted dry, neck and giblets reserved for stock, liver reserved for stuffing
1 bottle dry Riesling
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bunch fresh thyme

Steps:

  • Bring 1 quart water, salt, bay leaves, and spices to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool 5 minutes.
  • Line a 5-gallon container with a large brining or oven-roasting bag. Place turkey in bag. Add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts (24 cups) water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag; if turkey is not submerged, weight it with a plate. Refrigerate 24 hours, flipping turkey once.

CITRUS AND HERB TURKEY



Citrus and Herb Turkey image

Roasted with orange, lemon, garlic, and fresh sage and thyme in its cavity, this simple citrus and herb turkey makes a spectacular Thanksgiving centerpiece. An easy pan gravy is the finishing touch.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 whole turkey (about 14 pounds), patted dry
2 tablespoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 orange, halved
1 lemon, halved
1 small yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 head garlic, halved
6 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs sage
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups chicken stock, warm
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 with rack in lower third position.
  • Season cavity of turkey with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stuff cavity with orange, lemon, onion, garlic, and herbs. Tie legs with twine and transfer turkey to a rack set inside a roasting pan.
  • Rub skin with olive oil and season with remaining salt and pepper.
  • Pour 2 cups chicken stock into roasting pan and transfer to oven. Roast turkey for 2 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 165 degrees. After first hour of roasting, baste turkey every 30 minutes, and tent with foil if skin becomes deep golden brown before turkey is cooked.
  • Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a carving board. Let stand at least 15 minutes.
  • Place roasting pan on stovetop over medium-high heat and bring pan drippings and remaining 1 cup chicken stock to a simmer. Combine milk and flour in a mason jar and shake vigorously to combine. Whisk milk mixture into gravy and simmer, whisking constantly, until gravy thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
  • Carve turkey and serve with gravy.

MARTHA'S PERFECT ROAST TURKEY



Martha's Perfect Roast Turkey image

This recipe by Martha Stewart makes the most amazingly moist and perfect turkey. Both my mom and mother and law have been using this recipe exclusively since they discovered it about 6 years back. Once you try it you will not go back to making a turkey any other way! Prep time includes 2 hours for turkey to stand.

Provided by tiffanylynn444

Categories     Whole Turkey

Time 6h30m

Yield 12-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (20 -21 lb) fresh whole turkey, giblets and neck removed from cavity and reserved
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted, plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
turkey stuffing
1 cup dry red wine (optional) or 1 cup white wine, for gravy (optional)
giblet stock

Steps:

  • Rinse turkey with cool water, and dry with paper towels. Let stand for hours at room temperature.
  • Place rack on lowest level in oven. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine melted butter and white wine in a bowl. Fold a large piece of cheesecloth into quarters and cut it into a 17-inch, four-layer square. Immerse cheesecloth in the butter and wine; let soak.
  • Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack in a heavy metal roasting pan. If the turkey comes with a pop-up timer, remove it; an instant-read thermometer is a much more accurate indication of doneness. Fold wing tips under turkey. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper inside turkey. Fill large cavity and neck cavity loosely with as much stuffing as they hold comfortably; do not pack tightly. (Cook remaining stuffing in a buttered baking dish for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.) Tie legs together loosely with kitchen string (a bow will be easy to untie later). Fold neck flap under, and secure with toothpicks. Rub turkey with the softened butter, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper.
  • Lift cheesecloth out of liquid, and squeeze it slightly, leaving it very damp. Spread it evenly over the breast and about halfway down the sides of the turkey; it can cover some of the leg area. Place turkey, legs first, in oven. Cook for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, baste cheesecloth and exposed parts of turkey with butter and wine. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. and continue to cook for 2 1/2 more hours, basting every 30 minutes and watching pan juices; if the pan gets too full, spoon out juices, reserving them for gravy.
  • After this third hour of cooking, carefully remove and discard cheesecloth. Turn roasting pan so that the breast is facing the back of the oven. Baste turkey with pan juices. If there are not enough juices, continue to use butter and wine. The skin gets fragile as it browns, so baste carefully. Cook 1 more hour, basting after 30 minutes.
  • After this fourth hour of cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Do not poke into a bone. The temperature should reach 180 degrees.(stuffing should be between 140 degrees.and 160 degrees. and the turkey should be golden brown. The breast does not need to be checked for temperature. If legs are not yet fully cooked, baste turkey, return to oven, and cook another 20 to 30 minutes.
  • When fully cooked, transfer turkey to a serving platter, and let rest for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the gravy. Pour all the pan juices into a glass measuring cup. Let stand until grease rises to the surface, about 10 minutes, then skim it off. Meanwhile, place roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup dry red or white wine, or water, to the pan. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the pan until liquid boils and all the crisp bits are unstuck from pan. Add giblet stock to pan. Stir well, and bring back to a boil. Cook until liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the defatted pan juices, and cook over medium-high heat 10 minutes more. You will have about 2 1/2 cups of gravy. Season to taste, strain into a warm gravy boat, and serve with turkey.

WHITE WINE TURKEY BRINE, SIMPLE



White Wine Turkey Brine, Simple image

Thanksgiving, 2007. This brine was a last minute decision and using items from my pantry. I was not going to make dinner this year because Alicia, her son and her boyfriend were going to her boyfriends for the holiday. Their plans changed Monday night so we shopped Tuesday night after work. That didn't leave much time for brining so I didn't plan on it, but we cold water thawed the turkey all day Wed. I hated the idea of cooking an unbrined bird, so I came up with this recipe. It is mild enough in flavor to still allow the turkey flavor to come through with just a hint of flavor from the brine. The drippings made excellent gravy that was not at all salty.

Provided by Karen From Colorado

Categories     Low Protein

Time 20m

Yield 2 gallons

Number Of Ingredients 8

750 ml white wine
6 bay leaves
1 head garlic
1 medium onion, cut in half
1 cup kosher salt
1 cup brown sugar
10 cups water
2 large lemons

Steps:

  • Add bay leaves, garlic, onion, salt, sugar and water to a large stock pot.
  • Cut lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the rest of the brine ingredients; add the squeezed lemons.
  • Bring to a boil and boil 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and cool too room temp; stir in wine.
  • Add turkey; brine for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Remove the turkey and rinse very well in cold water.
  • Butter or oil the skin and roast as usual.

Tips:

  • Choose the right turkey: A fresh or thawed turkey is best for brining. Frozen turkeys can be brined, but they will need to be thawed completely before brining.
  • Use a large container: You will need a container that is large enough to hold the turkey and the brine. A 5-gallon bucket or a large stockpot are both good options.
  • Prepare the brine: The brine is made with water, salt, sugar, and spices. You can use any type of salt or sugar, but kosher salt and brown sugar are popular choices. You can also add your favorite spices to the brine, such as garlic, onion, thyme, or rosemary.
  • Brine the turkey: Place the turkey in the brine and cover it completely. Refrigerate the turkey for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.
  • Roast the turkey: After brining, rinse the turkey and pat it dry. Roast the turkey according to your favorite recipe.
  • Let the turkey rest: Before carving, let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

Brining a turkey is a great way to ensure that it is moist and flavorful. By following these tips, you can brine a turkey perfectly every time. So, next time you're cooking a turkey, give brining a try. You won't be disappointed!

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