Apple-Brined Turkey With Herbs
- 1 (12 -14 lb) whole turkey (neck and giblets removed from the cavity)
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth or 8 cups turkey stock or 8 cups turkey broth
- 4 cups apple juice, preferably unsweetened
- fresh herb, such as rosemary and sage
- 5 tablespoons fine sea salt
- unsalted butter, at room temperature
- boiling water or stock, for the roasting pan
- Place the turkey in an extra-large plastic food storage bag.
- Combine the stock or broth, apple juice, herbs and salt; add to the bag.
- Close the bag tightly and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, preferably contained within a bucket or large bowl (to collect any spillage); turn over as needed to make sure the whole bird gets brined.
- Remove the bird from the bag and place on the kitchen counter; discard the brine and herbs.
- Place some ice cubes in a large plastic food storage bag and drape it over the breast of the turkey.
- Let it sit for 2 hours.
- This will allow the turkey legs to warm to room temperature while the breast remains cold.
- Meanwhile, remove the middle and bottom racks in the oven; preheat to 350 degrees.
- Place the turkey on the roasting rack that fits inside a large roasting pan (snip off 1/2 inch of the wing tips, if desired; they tend to burn).
- Rub the bird with butter.
- Place a piece of aluminum foil over the breast to protect it while cooking.
- Place the roasting pan on the oven floor.
- Pour 1 cup of hot water or stock into the roasting pan.
- During roasting, check regularly to make sure there is some liquid in the pan; add water or stock as needed.
- After 2 1/2 hours, allow the water in the roasting pan to evaporate, or use a turkey baster to extract it.
- Remove the foil from the breast.
- Baste the bird with cooking juices or rub it with more butter.
- Increase the temperature to 375 degrees and roast for 20 minutes to give the bird a crisp skin and nice brown color, checking regularly to ensure that it doesn't burn.
- (It will be more sensitive to heat because of the sugars in the apple juice; cover loosely with foil as needed.
- ).
- The turkey is done when the juices run clear from a fork or knife prick in the turkey thigh meat and its internal temperature registers 175 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
- If the juices are pink, roast for 10 minutes and check again.
- Allow the bird to rest for at least 30 minutes, and preferably 1 hour, before carving.
turkey, chicken broth, apple juice, fresh herb, salt, unsalted butter, boiling water
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/apple-brined-turkey-with-herbs-509596 (may not work)