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Wet-Brined Whole Turkey
Recipes
Wet-Brined Whole Turkey
8 servings
27 hours, 30 minutes total (Active 30 minutes)

Ingredients

  • 1 (6-inch) piece fresh ginger
  • 6 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 gallons spring water, divided
  • 1 ½ cups kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 fresh GreenWise whole turkey (about 12–14 lb), thawed
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Nonstick aluminum foil
  • 1 lemon, for zest

Steps

    1. Peel and slice ginger. Place coriander and cinnamon in 16-quart stockpot on medium; cook and stir until toasted and fragrant. Add 8 cups water, ginger, salt, and sugar; bring to a boil, stirring until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat; pour in remaining water and let cool completely. Place turkey in brine; chill 24 hours.
    2. Set butter out to soften. Preheat oven to 325°F; line roasting pan with foil. Zest lemon (1 tablespoon). Whip butter and lemon zest until combined. Remove turkey from brine and drain well, then place on roasting pan rack; pat dry with paper towels. Rub turkey with butter mixture; roast following package instructions until browned and 165°F. Let stand 15 minutes to rest before carving. Serve.

Amount per ⅛ recipe serving: Calories 740, Total Fat 36g, Sat Fat 14g, Trans Fat 1g, Chol 395mg, Sodium 1050mg, Total Carb 2g, Fiber 0g, Sugars 2g, Protein 95g, Calc 4%, Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 0%, Iron 20%