Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy

Name: Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 2 liters apple cider; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided; 1 Tbsp black peppercorns, coarsely crushed; 397 grams fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth; 1 inch thick) slices peeled fresh ginger; 4 garlic cloves; 1 liters ice; 158 milliliters kosher salt; 1 onion, quartered; 2 oranges, quartered; 4 parsley sprigs; 4 sage leaves; 1 teaspoons salt, divided; 158 milliliters sugar; 4 thyme sprigs; 5 kilograms fresh or frozen turkey, thawed; 2 Tbsps unsalted butter, melted and divided; 1 Tbsp whole allspice, coarsely crushed

Need If you have turkey, less-sodium chicken broth, sage leaves, and a few other ingredients on hand, you can make it. To use up the oranges you could follow this main course with the Honey Custards with Blood Oranges and Candied Lemon as a dessert.

Instructions

To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.

Ingredients you will need

Brine

Sugar

Salt

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters.

Ingredients you will need

Orange

Whole Turkey

Gravy

Water

Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Equipment you will use

Oven

Place bags in a large stockpot.

Equipment you will use

Pot

Place turkey inside inner bag.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Ingredients you will need

Cider

Ice

Preheat oven to 50

Equipment you will use

Oven

Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string.

Ingredients you will need

Orange

Whole Turkey

Brine

Water

Equipment you will use

Kitchen Twine

Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in the bottom of a roasting pan.

Ingredients you will need

Parsley

Garlic

Broth

Onion

Thyme

Sage

Equipment you will use

Roasting Pan

Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Ingredients you will need

Butter

Pepper

Whole Turkey

Salt

Bake at 500 for 30 minutes.

Equipment you will use

Oven

Reduce oven temperature to 35

Equipment you will use

Oven

Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Equipment you will use

Tongs

Oven

Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Ingredients you will need

Turkey Breast

Butter

Pepper

Salt

Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 170 (make sure not to touch bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.)

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Bone

Equipment you will use

Kitchen Thermometer