Perfect Turkey

Looking for the best way to cook a turkey? This recipe uses a brine to make a roast turkey extra moist and flavorful. Perfect for Thanksgiving!

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 2 cups kosher salt
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
• 2 large onions, chopped, divided
• 4 carrots, coarsely chopped, divided
• 4 stalks celery, chopped, divided
• 0.5 cup butter, melted, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Rub turkey inside and out with kosher salt; place in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Cover and refrigerate to allow turkey to soak in brine solution for 12 hours, or overnight.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey; discard the brine mixture.

Step 3

Roast turkey in the preheated oven, uncovered, until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Carefully turn turkey breast-side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with remaining butter. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Step 4

Allow turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Step 5

Brush turkey with 1/2 of the melted butter.

Step 6

Place breast-side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff turkey cavity with 1/2 the onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and bay leaf. Scatter remaining vegetables and thyme in the bottom of the roasting pan; pour white wine over vegetables.