Juicy Roast Turkey

The simple secret to a truly juicy roast turkey is to season the turkey with a rub a couple of days before roasting. This is called dry brining and it makes the flesh beautifully moist, and you can even do it while the turkey is still FROZEN!

It cooks faster, has crispy golden buttery skin, and your turkey is going to be so amazing it’s going to be remembered for years to come!!!

What you need to know

10 years ago, dry brining was still relatively unknown but these days it’s a pretty broadly known fact that dry brining yields superior results to wet brining as well as being far more practical.

Because I want to arm you with everything you need to make the ultimate perfect roast turkey, this is a fairly long post, covering off on (hopefully!) all your questions. So starting off with a summary:

Summary:

• Brining is the path to moist turkey flesh

• Dry brining is far more practical and easier than wet brining

• Partially thawed turkey can be dry brined – handy!

• Brine time:

  • 1 (bare minimum)

  • 2 – 3 days (ideal)

  • 4 days (extra day adds nothing)

• Works with turkey breast (2 days)

• Start turkey roast upside down for extra juicy breast

• Roast turkey cook time 12 minutes per 500g / 1 lb (brined turkey cooks faster)

• 75°C / 165°F using a meat thermometer inserted between leg and thigh

• 30 minutes resting essential!

• Served with turkey gravy or Cranberry Sauce

Brining = JUICY Roast Turkey

I think we can all agree that there is nothing more devastating than labouring for hours over the Thanksgiving or Christmas table centrepiece only to find that it’s dry – especially the breast meat. Even drowning it in gravy can’t completely compensate.

And in this day and age, there’s pretty much full consensus amongst all the greatest food authorities of the world that brining is the path to Juicy Roast Turkey. It doesn’t matter how much butter you use, whether you roast upside down, spin it around, baste 50 times – if you don’t brine, your turkey won’t be as moist.

Full stop. End of story!!

Take a close look at the turkey slice below – look how juicy it is!!!

What is brining?

Brining is the method whereby meat (turkey, in this case) is soaked in a salty water mixed with aromatics like bay leaves, peppercorns and garlic for a couple of days. This has the effect of trapping moisture in the flesh while it roasts, yielding super juicy turkey.

The method of soaking turkey in a giant bucket of salty water is called wet brining. Dry brining has the same effect, but is done by rubbing the turkey with a seasoned salt then left to “marinate” for a couple of days before roasting.

Dry brining is easier, more effective and tastier than wet brining!

Why dry brining is best

Wet Brining is more well known than Dry Brining. While both methods will yield a juicy roast turkey, there are a number of very important advantages of dry brining:

1. No mopping – I guarantee if you’re manhandling a bucket large enough for a 6 kg / 12 lb turkey AND bringing solution, there will be mopping involved at some stage…. Not to mention the question of whether your fridge has space for said bucket!! (Note: If you’re determined to wet brine, use your vegetable crisper! Genius idea from TheKitchn.)

2. The turkey tastes like turkey. Not water. One of the grievances of wet brining is that while the turkey is moist, the moisture tastes bland – not like turkey. Which makes sense, right? The turkey sucks in the brine and unless it is heavily flavoured with broth, the turkey is sucking in largely flavourless liquid. Whereas with dry brining, the turkey releases its own juices then sucks its own juices back in. Turkey on turkey flavour!

3. The roasting juices aren’t too salty to use for gravy. Another problem many people have with wet brined turkey is that the roasting juices can be too salty to use for gravy. You can compensate by plonking in raw potatoes into the gravy to suck out the salt, but….it’s just one more thing you can avoid by using dry brining!

4. You can start brining while the turkey is still partially frozen. It takes 3 days – yes, 3 WHOLE days – to defrost a 10 pound / 5kg turkey in the fridge. Whereas with this recipe I’m sharing, I accelerate the partial defrosting of the turkey in cold water then it finishes defrosting WHILE it is brining.

5. It roasts faster. It takes 1 hour 45 minutes to roast a 5.5 kg / 10 lb turkey. Compared to 2 1/2 hours for un-brined turkey.

Before we roast, we brine. And before we brine, we must thaw!

Turkey THAWING

A frozen turkey is a formidable block of ice that takes days to thaw. So you must factor this into your turkey-feasting timeline!

• Thaw in fridge (long thaw) – allow 24 hours for every 1.5 – 2 kg / 3 – 4 lb of turkey (my 5.5 kg/11 lb turkey took 3 days)

• Fast thaw in water – 30 minutes per 500g / 1 lb. Turkey needs to be in a leak proof bag / wrapping. Submerge in large sink of water, keep it submerged. Change water every 30 minutes.

These are the cook times for a dry brined turkey (loosely stuffed with herbs and garlic) which cooks faster than un-brined turkey. Add an extra 15 – 20 minutes if your turkey is stuffed.

This is the total roasting time, including initial 30 minutes at high temperature. It works out at around 12 minutes per 500g / 1 lb.

Internal temperature of cooked turkey

75C / 165F using a meat thermometer inserted between the leg and the breast (see photo below for point to insert). This is the USDA recommended internal cooked temperature of turkey. 

How to take the internal temperature?

Take the temperature of the turkey straight out of the oven. Insert the thermometer between the leg and the breast. Insert straight down until you hit bone, then pull back a bit. Hold still until the temperature registers on your thermometer and stays at the internal temperatures specified above.

How to make juicy roast turkey

I promised you easy, and easy you shall have! Here’s a rundown on the recipe:

• Rub with a simple seasoned salt mixture – salt, thyme, paprika, garlic powder and pepper;

• Wrap like a mummy in cling wrap (holds in all those juices!) and refrigerate for 2 days;

• Stuff with herbs, garlic and pour in a good slosh of butter;

• Slather with butter then roast upside down for 30 minutes (get those juices pooling in the breast);

• Roast right side up for 45 minutes;

• Baste with Garlic Herb Butter then roast for a further 30 minutes. (I do this at this stage to avoid burnt garlic-herb bits on the turkey)

When the internal temperature is reached (see section above), the most important thing to do is to rest the turkey for 30 minutes. This gives the turkey a chance to relax the fibres (ie more tender meat) and even more importantly, the juices get sucked back into the flesh (equals even juicier meat!).

Styling the turkey platter

Even if the turkey is only on the platter for a fleeting moment before being whisked away to be carved, I still feel like it’s worth making a wee bit of an effort so the turkey can have it’s moment spotlight.

While many opt for herb garnishes, I have a thing about making everything on a platter edible. So I create a bed of green leafage – watercress in this case (cheap, right shape, nice to “fan out” around edges) – with pops of colour from orange wedges (also for those creatures who like fruit with meat) and cranberries (thawed frozen ones).

How to Carve Turkey

I had ambitions to include a video of how to carve turkey, but doing such a video by yourself proved to be somewhat of a challenge. Turkey juice squirting everywhere, greasy hands, the challenge of new cameras and most frustrating, the hot breath of a fur ball under the table panting with excitement at the mere experience of being so close to such a giant hunk of meat.

Said video was a total fail. Will attempt again next year. In the meantime – this video is a good tutorial. 🙂

To Stuff or Not to Stuff?

This turkey is not stuffed with stuffing, just with garlic, herbs and a good slosh of melted butter (which does all sorts of good things to the breast when roasted upside down).

I do not stuff turkey because in order for the stuffing to be safe to eat, it needs to reach 75C / 165F – the same internal temperature of the turkey. The stuffing cooks last, so that means in order for the stuffing to be cooked enough to be safe enough to eat, the turkey is overcooked.

No thanks! Besides, stuffing baked separately SO much more delicious – here’s my all time favourite Stuffing recipe!

Cranberry Sauce or Gravy?

Why choose? Serve BOTH! Cranberry Sauce keeps for ages – make it well in advance.

As for gravy…. it’s not an option around these parts. My view is that it’s criminal to to waste those pan juices and NOT make a gravy!

What to serve with Turkey

A classic centrepiece for holiday occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, here are my favourite sides to serve with turkey!

Thanksgiving sides for Turkey

Still the BEST Stuffing ever!

Baked Mac and Cheese

Green Bean Casserole perfection!

Browned Butter Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole

Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries

Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls

Fondant Sweet Potatoes (slow roasted)

Thanksgiving Recipes

Christmas sides for Turkey

Duck Fat Potatoes – Crispiest, Best Roast Potatoes EVER!

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Green Bean Salad with Cherry Tomato Feta

Baked Mac and Cheese

Christmas Sides: Light & Fresh

Christmas Sides: Warm & Hearty

So here’s my recipe for the Juicy Roast Turkey made by dry brining. It is based on this recipe from the LA Times which has a cult following – with good reason! I’ve added extra tips and tricks to help make this a breeze for you.

I have a feeling this Thanksgiving is going to be your BEST EVER!!! – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

Here’s the recipe video for the Juicy Roast Turkey. See below for gravy!

And here’s the video for the turkey gravy:

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Juicy Roast Turkey

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 2 hours hrs

Total: 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Christmas, Dinner, Thanksgiving

Western

4.96 from 123 votes

Servings10 -12

Tap or hover to scale

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Recipe video above. Dry brining is the best path to juicy roast turkey! Easier and more practical than wet brining (no bucket!), better turkey flavour, and you can even brine a partially thawed turkey. The results are exceptional - crispy skin and moist flesh. This recipe needs to be started two days before cooking. Use the RECIPE SCALER to change ingredients to the weight of your turkey (click/tap on servings and slide!).

Ingredients

• ▢ 10 lb / 5kg whole turkey , thawed (plain not pre brined) (Note 1)

Dry Brine Rub:

• ▢ 2.5 tbsp salt (Note 2)
• ▢ 2 tsp dried thyme , or other herb of choice
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika , sweet or ordinary
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• ▢ 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Roasting

• ▢ 150g / 10 tbsp unsalted butter , melted
• ▢ 1 tbsp (in total) sage, rosemary and thyme , finely chopped (Note 3)
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves , minced
• ▢ 2 heads of garlic , halved horizontally
• ▢ 1 onion , halved (brown, yellow, white)
• ▢ 2 small bunch mixed herbs , sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley (optional, Note 3)
• ▢ 1.5 cups / 375 ml dry white wine , or water (Note 4)
• ▢ Salt & pepper

Gravy (~ 4 cups/1L)

• ▢ 4 cups (1 litre) chicken broth / stock , low sodium
• ▢ 5 tbsp (60g) flour , plain / all purpose
• ▢ Salt and pepper

Instructions

Dry Brining Preparation.

• Rub: Mix together the Rub.
• Prep Turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels., inside and out. Remove giblets or anything else inside the turkey. (Note 5)
• Sprinkle: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt inside and use you hand to spread it (roughly is fine). Turn the turkey upside down, then rub 1 teaspoon of the salt mixture on the underside.
• Turn the turkey upright and rub the remaining salt on the turkey, using most on the breast - even some under the skin if you can.
• Wrap turkey mummy-like in lots of cling wrap or place the turkey in a sealable plastic bag (Note 6).

Brining (Note 7):

• Place turkey upside down in baking pan. Refrigerate.
• 24 hours later: Flip turkey so it's right side up.
• 24 (to 48 hours) later: unwrap turkey. The skin should be moist but not wet. If wet, pat dry. Leave out for 30 min before roasting.

Prepare for roasting:

• Preheat oven to 220C/425F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan).
• Place the onions and garlic in a roasting pan. Place a roasting rack on top - if you have one (Note 8 for sub).
• Stuff bunch of herbs + 2 garlic halves + 3 tbsp butter (45g) inside the turkey. Tie drumsticks together with kitchen twine (optional). 
• Place turkey UPSIDE DOWN on the rack. Twist the wings so they are on top - see video. Brush with a bit of melted butter. Sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt and pepper.
• Pour wine in roasting pan.

Roasting:

• Roast for 30 minutes.
• Use a tea towel to turn the turkey over. Brush with butter, sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt and pepper.
• Turn oven down to 165C/325F (standard) or 150C/300F (fan). Roast turkey 45 minutes.
  
• Mix remaining butter with garlic and herbs. Brush turkey generously with butter.
• Roast turkey for a further 30 minutes or until a) the thermometer that comes with the turkey pops up (America) b) a thermometer inserted between the breast and leg reads 165F/75C. (Notes 9, 10). Cover loosely with foil if browning too much.
• Remove turkey onto serving plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 30 minutes before transferring to platter for presentation and carving (see in post for styling idea).
• Serve turkey with gravy and/or Cranberry Sauce.

Turkey Gravy

• Place roasting pan (with garlic, onion etc still in it) on the stove over medium high heat. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add broth and use a potato masher to mash the onion and garlic into the mixture. Use a wooden spoon to scrap the bottom of the pan. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
• Strain into a bowl, pressing down to extract all the flavour out of the onion and garlic. Transfer to gravy boat.

Recipe Notes:

1. TURKEY needs to be thawed.

* Thaw in fridge (long thaw) – allow 24 hours for every 1.5 – 2 kg / 3 – 4 lb of turkey (my 5.5 kg/11 lb turkey took 3 days)
* Fast thaw in water – 30 minutes per 500g / 1 lb. Turkey needs to be in a leak proof bag / wrapping. Submerge in large sink of water, keep it submerged. Change water every 30 minutes.

Rub can be applied to partially thawed turkey as long as skin is pliable enough to rub salt in. Add 1 tsp extra salt. Expect lots of juices from the thaw/brining process - ensure turkey is patted dry before roasting. As it brines, liquid may be red from blood from the inside of the turkey thawing - do not worry. Won't affect end result at all. Do not rinse, just pat dry with paper towels.

DO NOT:
* Use this recipe for "self basting" or pre marinated turkeys, will be too salty. Check ingredients or nutrition - if there's salt or flavourings, the turkey has already been brined. Typically these include boxed and frozen turkeys at the supermarkets in Australia.

**See HOW TO COOK PRE-BRINED TURKEY box below recipe.**

2. SALT - Use 1 tbsp salt for every 2 kg / 4 lb turkey. Use kosher / cooking salt. If using fine grain table salt, reduce by 1/4 tsp PER 1 tbsp of salt called for in the recipe. Do not use salt flakes (too hard to measure equivalent).

3. HERBS - I used an equal mix of sage, rosemary and thyme to make up 1 tbsp in total for basting partway through cooking. Can also use dried herbs of choice - use 2 tsp. Doesn't sound like much but we don't want to put herbs on the skin until partway though cooking otherwise it just burns. So by the time we baste with the herb butter, there's not much butter left. Just imparts a subtle fragrance more than anything, could even be skipped.

Need one bunch to stuff inside the turkey, the other for the pan.

4. WINE - I use sauvignon blanc, pinot gris (I get discount wine for cooking). Any white wine is fine as long as it's not too sweet or woody / oaky.

5. Giblets are a parcel of turkey offcuts that are usually stuffed inside the turkey and are used to make the gravy. It usually comprises of: neck, heart and liver. Use the neck and heart for turkey gravy.

6. BAG  - you can get resealable bags in America that are big enough for turkey. But I've found that cling wrap is the most effective - keeps the brine right up against the turkey skin.

7. BRINE TIME: 48 hours (2 days) is my base recipe, 3 days also great (a bit more seasoned). Even overnight is better than not brining at all! I even did 4 days last year and it not any different to 3 days, from what I could tell.

8. RACK SUB: Need to keep turkey skin elevated out of liquid in pan. Get a long strip of foil, scrunch to make a thick "rope". Loop to make a circle and secure. Place on top of onion, place turkey on top. Just need something to keep turkey a bit elevated off base of pan and the onion. If skin is in contact with onion when upside down, the skin will brown unevenly once you flip.

9. ROASTING TIME:

• 5kg / 10 lb: 1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs
• 6 kg / 12 lb: 2 hrs 15 min
• 7kg / 14 lb: 2 hrs 30 min
• 8 kg / 16 lb: 2 hrs 45min

Works out at 12 minutes per 500g / 1 lb.

10. INTERNAL TEMP: Insert thermometer between breast and leg. Push straight down, hit bone, then pull back slightly. 

 If you don't have a thermometer (get one! Even a cheap one!), pierce the meat between the leg and breast and if the juices run clear, the turkey is cooked.

Remember, this turkey is brined so there is a bit of leeway with the cooking time even if you overcook it slightly, it will still be moist.

11. Got turkey leftovers? Use it up in White Turkey Enchilada Soup,  Garlic Bread Leftover Turkey Pot Pie or Muffulettas!

12. Source: Adapted from this recipe from the LA Times.

Keywords: Roast Turkey

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That turkey leg is the size of his head!

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