Even a novice can cook a moist, delicious turkey.
Instructions
- Dissolve ½ cup kosher salt and ½ cup brown sugar in 2 cups hot water.
- Stir in 2 cups apple juice and 4 cups of ice.
- Submerge turkey in brine for 2 or more hours in the refrigerator. I recommend 10 hours for optimal flavor and tenderness.
What does putting an apple in a turkey do?
Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. The flavor remind you of fall, but apples will also provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process (you can still brine the turkey, of course).
How do I make my turkey tender and juicy?
Roast until the breast registers 160-175°F and up to 180°F for the thickest part of the thigh away from the bone, and the juices run clear when the thermometer is removed. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes up to 1 hour for the juices to redistribute into the meat.
What can I put on my turkey to give it flavor?
Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all. (While you’re at it, season the cavity with a good amount of salt and pepper.) Brining is an essential step to ensure a juicy bird.
What is the secret to a moist turkey? – Related Questions
What should I season my turkey with?
When it comes to seasoning, salt and pepper are the right place to start. But you can expand upon these basics by using fall herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage, which are natural accompaniments for turkey. You can branch out further with your favorite seasoning blends.
Should I put butter in my turkey?
Since turkey is a lean protein, it is easier to overcook or dry out due to the lower fat content. No one wants to eat dry turkey. While you can still achieve a delicious bird without the use of butter, I highly recommend adding it! It will help add moisture and flavor to the meat during the roasting process.
How do you add flavor to turkey meat?
Five Ways to Add Flavor
- Brine it. The white meat of turkey is not naturally juicy.
- Inject it.
- Rub spices on the skin.
- Spread herb butter under the skin.
- Stuff it.
What do you coat turkey with before cooking?
Seasoning is a big part of preparing a turkey for the oven. Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with salt and pepper. Press the salt and pepper into the outside skin on the turkey. Smear a thick coating of room temperature butter, melted butter or olive oil all over the outside of the turkey.
What do you rub on turkey before you bake it?
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
- 1 teaspoon paprika.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary.
- 1 teaspoon dried sage.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
How do you make turkey meat taste good?
Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you’re cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste. Adjust seasoning accordingly.
What liquid do you add to turkey?
Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it’s part of the tradition).
Why should you not rinse turkey?
Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.
Do you put oil or butter on a turkey?
Don’t butter your bird
Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.
Do you put water in bottom of roasting pan for turkey?
“Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”
Why put vegetables under turkey?
Use vegetables as a roasting rack.
If you don’t have a roasting pan, you can actually place extra onions, whole celery stalks and whole carrots underneath the turkey to prevent it from burning at the bottom.
What do you put in the bottom of a turkey roasting pan?
Place chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stalks and add to the vegetables. Set aside. Pat dry the turkey with paper towels.
Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey?
Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey? Yes. Putting butter under the skin helps add moisture and flavor to the meat.
Should I put broth in bottom of turkey pan?
Add water to the roasting pan to keep the turkey from drying out. Grandma always added water or chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan, at the start of the cooking. This keeps the bird from drying out.
Should you cover a turkey with aluminum foil when roasting?
We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time. Some people swear that roasting a turkey breast-side down and flipping it halfway through achieves the same results as a foil covered breast.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
It is far better to roast cook a turkey at 325 F, then at 350 F. The reason for this is that turkey meat doesn’t contain much moisture to begin with. So, if you cook it at a higher temperature, there is a greater risk of the meat drying out.