Meat Dishes
Perfect Roast Turkey
15 minPrep time
2 hr 30 minCook time
9 hr 45 minTotal time
EasyDifficulty
Instructions
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Two to three days before cooking, thaw the turkey in a refrigerator or a cooler kept at 38 °F.
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Make the brine by heating vegetable stock, kosher salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat, let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.
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On the day of roasting, combine the cooled brine with the iced water in a large container. Submerge the thawed, giblet‑removed turkey breast‑side down, weigh it down if needed, cover, and refrigerate for 8 to 16 hours, turning once halfway through.
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Preheat the oven to 500 °F. Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels.
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Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a half‑sheet pan. In a microwave‑safe dish, combine apple slices, onion slices, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup water; microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stuff the aromatic mixture, plus rosemary and sage, into the cavity. Tuck the wings under the bird and rub the skin generously with canola oil.
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Roast on the lowest oven rack at 500 °F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, lower the oven temperature to 350 °F, and continue roasting until the thermometer reads 161 °F, about 2 to 2½ hours total.
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Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil or a large mixing bowl, for 15 minutes before carving.
Video
“Alton Brown's Good Eats Perfect Roast Turkey | Food Network” by Food Network, watch on YouTube.
About this recipe
This roast turkey is a classic centerpiece for holiday meals, featuring a flavorful brine that infuses the meat with salty‑sweet notes and warm spices. After brining, the bird is roasted at high heat to crisp the skin, then finished at a lower temperature until the breast reaches a safe 161 °F, resulting in juicy, tender meat.
Serve the sliced turkey alongside traditional sides like stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes for a comforting, crowd‑pleasing dinner.
