Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe: The Ultimate Guide for a Juicy, Flavorful Bird
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the turkey is the star of the show. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe is a must-have for any holiday table, combining a flavorful brine and an aromatic vegetable medley to create a moist, delicious main course. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or cooking your first Thanksgiving meal, this recipe is designed to help you serve a juicy, tender, and golden-brown turkey that family and friends will rave about.
Ingredients Needed For The Best Thanksgiving Turkey
Gather these ingredients to create the perfect Thanksgiving turkey:
- 1 whole turkey (18 pounds, serves about 14)
- Sea salt and brown sugar for brining: This essential brine locks in moisture and adds incredible flavor.
- Butter: Helps the turkey achieve a golden, crispy skin.
- Fresh vegetables (onions, carrots, celery): Add flavor to the turkey and pan drippings.
- Fresh herbs and aromatics (rosemary, lemon, garlic): Bring out the turkey’s natural flavors.
- Dry white wine: Enhances the pan vegetables and makes a delicious gravy base.
Note: An 18-pound turkey will need a long brine time for the best flavor, so plan to brine it overnight. Fresh rosemary is ideal for this recipe, but dried rosemary can be used in a pinch.
Step-by-Step Instructions For The Best Thanksgiving Turkey
- Brine the Turkey: In a large stockpot, mix 1 ½ cups of sea salt, ½ cup of brown sugar, and 4 quarts of cold water until dissolved. Place the turkey in the brine, ensuring it’s fully submerged, and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight. This brine helps keep the turkey moist and juicy throughout roasting.
- Prep for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it under cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Season and Butter the Turkey: Brush the turkey with half of the melted butter and season the cavity with freshly ground black pepper.
- Stuff the Turkey Cavity: Add 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, a sprig of rosemary, lemon quarters, and halved garlic to the cavity. This will give your turkey a deliciously fragrant flavor.
- Arrange in Roasting Pan: Place the turkey breast-side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Surround it with the remaining onions, carrots, celery, and rosemary. Add a bay leaf and pour the white wine over the vegetables in the pan.
- Roast the Turkey: Roast, uncovered, for about 3 ½ to 4 hours. Midway through, carefully turn the turkey breast-side up and brush it with the remaining butter. Continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Rest Before Carving: Once the turkey is done, let it rest for 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful.
Do’s and Don’ts for a Perfect Turkey
Do’s
- Do Brine the Turkey: Brining is key for a juicy turkey. Make sure to leave it in the brine for at least 12 hours for maximum moisture and flavor.
- Do Use a Meat Thermometer: Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh to avoid under- or overcooking. You’re looking for a reading of 165°F (74°C).
- Do Baste Carefully: Basting with melted butter gives the skin a golden color and crispiness. Baste every hour or as needed.
- Do Allow the Turkey to Rest: After roasting, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and moist.
- Do Plan Your Timing: Roasting takes about 15-20 minutes per pound, so calculate your time accordingly to avoid a rushed cooking process.
Don’ts
- Don’t Skip Patting Dry: Rinse off the brine and pat the turkey dry before roasting. This step helps the skin get crispy in the oven.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Oven: Leave space around the turkey for even heat circulation. If you’re cooking sides, do so in separate batches if possible.
- Don’t Open the Oven Constantly: Opening the oven frequently releases heat, which can extend cooking time. Check in occasionally, but try to minimize how often you open the door.
- Don’t Rely on Pop-Up Timers: Many store-bought turkeys come with built-in timers that often aren’t accurate. Use a meat thermometer instead to ensure perfect doneness.
- Don’t Carve Too Soon: Carving immediately after roasting causes the juices to escape, leaving the meat dry. Give it a resting period.
Why this is the perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
This Thanksgiving turkey recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings, family dinners, and any special occasion where you want to wow your guests. The brine guarantees a juicy, flavorful turkey, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and the aromatic herbs make it truly unforgettable. It’s a great choice if you’re hosting a larger group, and the leftovers are perfect for easy meals over the next few days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Thanksgiving turkey alongside classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole. The vegetables roasted in the pan with the turkey make a delicious side dish on their own and pair beautifully with a homemade turkey gravy made from the drippings. For an added festive touch, pair with a seasonal salad or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Leftover turkey is perfect for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles, making it a versatile post-holiday staple.
Bring the joy of Thanksgiving to your table with this mouthwatering turkey recipe. Let us know if you try it, and don’t hesitate to share your own Thanksgiving tips or favorite sides!
Roasted Turkey
Ingredients
- ● 1 whole turkey about 18 pounds, neck and giblets removed
- ● 1 ½ cups sea salt
- ● ½ cup brown sugar
- ● 4 quarts cold water
- ● ½ cup unsalted butter melted, divided
- ● 2 large onions chopped, divided
- ● 4 carrots coarsely chopped, divided
- ● 4 stalks celery chopped, divided
- ● 3 sprigs fresh rosemary divided
- ● 1 lemon quartered
- ● 1 head garlic halved horizontally
- ● 1 bay leaf
- ● 1 cup dry white wine
- ● Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, combine the sea salt, brown sugar, and cold water. Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Submerge the turkey in the brine solution. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it thoroughly under cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Discard the brine mixture.
- Brush the turkey inside and out with half of the melted butter.
- Season the cavity of the turkey with freshly ground black pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1 sprig of rosemary, the lemon quarters, and the halved garlic head.
- Place the turkey breast-side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Scatter the remaining onion, carrots, celery, and rosemary in the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the bay leaf.
- Pour the white wine over the vegetables in the pan.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, uncovered, for about 3 ½ to 4 hours.
- About two-thirds of the way through the roasting time, carefully turn the turkey breast-side up and brush with the remaining melted butter.
- The turkey is done when the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a moist and flavorful turkey.
- Carve the turkey and serve it on a platter, accompanied by the roasted vegetables from the pan.
