Cider Glazed Turkey
- 1 gallon apple cider, divided
- 1 cup salt
- 1 bunch fresh thyme, divided
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bunch fresh sage
- 5 cups ice cubes
- 6 cups water
- 1 (13 to 15-pound) frozen turkey, defrosted
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- In a large pot with a lid that is big enough to fit the turkey, add all but 2 cups apple cider and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the salt, 3 sprigs of thyme, 3 sprigs rosemary and stir to dissolve the salt.
- Remove from the heat, add 5 cups of ice, 6 cups water and stir.
- Put the turkey in the pot with the brine and hold it down so that the cavity fills with the brine.
- If the turkey is not completely submerged in the brine, add another 2 to 3 cups of water to the pot until covered.
- Cover the pot with a lid and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry.
- Arrange it, breast side up, in a roasting pan.
- Stuff the remaining thyme and the bunch of sage into the cavity and tuck the wings back underneath the bottom of the breast.
- Tie the legs together with a piece of butcher's twine.
- In a small bowl combine the canola oil, poultry seasoning and pepper.
- Brush the turkey liberally until completely coated.
- Put in the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before the turkey is done, liberally baste the bird with the cider glaze.
- Baste with the remaining glaze 2 more times at 10 minute intervals.
- Remove from the oven and let rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve.
- Glaze:
- In a small saucepan combine the reserved 2 cups of apple cider and 1/4 cup of brown sugar.
- Simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup.
apple cider, salt, thyme, rosemary, fresh sage, water, frozen turkey, canola oil, poultry seasoning, fresh ground black pepper, brown sugar
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/cider-glazed-turkey-recipe.html (may not work)