Average Rating: 4.666666TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. + brining Bake: 2-1/2 hours + standing
YIELD: 16 servings.Ingredients
- 4 quarts water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-1/2 cups salt
- 10 fresh parsley sprigs
- 10 fresh thyme sprigs
- 5 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 7 bay leaves
- 4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 teaspoons whole peppercorns
- 4-1/2 quarts cold water
- 2 turkey-size oven roasting bags
- 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
TURKEY:- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- 1. In a large stockpot, combine the first nine ingredients; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat. Add cold water to cool the brine to room temperature.
- 2. Place one oven roasting bag inside the other. Place turkey inside both bags; pour in cooled brine. Seal bags, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat turkey. Place in a shallow roasting pan. Refrigerate 18-24 hours, turning occasionally.
- 3. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove turkey from brine; rinse and pat dry. Discard brine. Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Rub oil over outside of turkey; sprinkle with pepper and, if desired, salt.
- 4. Roast, uncovered, 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.)
- 5. Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts
9 ounces cooked turkey with skin: 480 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 63g protein.
