If you really want a flavorful roast turkey with juicy white and dark meats it’s going to take a little time…but it’s worth it. Aim to get your fully thawed turkey into the turkey brine 12 hours before cooking.

　　

Ingredients

At least 10–12 servings

　　

For Turkey Brine

One 14-16-pound frozen natural, young turkey

　　1 gallon vegetable broth (homemade or canned)

　　1 cup kosher salt

　　½ cup brown sugar

　　1 tablespoon black peppercorns

　　1½ teaspoons allspice berries

　　1½ tablespoons candied ginger, chopped

　　1 gallon H2O, iced

　　

For Roasting

1 red apple, quartered

　　½ onion, quartered

　　1 stick cinnamon

　　1 cup H20

　　4 sprigs rosemary

　　6 sage leaves

　　Canola oil

　　

Step 1

Two to three days before roasting, thaw the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38° F, tops.

　　

Step 2

To make the turkey brine: Combine the broth, salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice, and finger in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate the brine.

　　

Step 3

The eve before roasting, combine the brine and the iced water in a cooler. Place the thawed turkey (guts, neck, and whatnot removed) breast side down in the brine. Seal up the cooler and use it as an ottoman. Target bring time: 12 hours; flip the bird once about halfway through.

　　

Step 4

On roasting day: Heat the oven to 500°F. Remove the bird from the brine and rinse inside and out. Discard brine.

　　

Step 5

Place the bird on a roasting rack and place inside a roasting pan. Pat the bird dry (inside and out) with paper towels.

　　

Step 6

Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon, and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add to the turkey’s cavity, along with the rosemary and sage. Truss, if you like.

　　

Step 7

Lightly coat the bird with canola oil. Roast the bird on the lowest rack of the oven for 30 minutes.

　　

Step 8

Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.

　　

Step 9

Roast until the thermometer registers 155°F, about 2½ hours.

　　Reprinted from Good Eats: The Early Years. Copyright © 2009 by Alton Brown. Reprinted with permission of Abrams Books.Buy the full book from Amazon.