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Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brine Turkey

This Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brined Turkey comes out so moist and flavorful, with crispy golden skin and juicy tender meat.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
3 hrs
Additional Time
4 d
Total Time
4 d 4 hrs
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 225 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 thawed or fresh 16-lb turkey (preferably fresh (not kosher or self-basting) if frozen, thaw before)
  • 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt (use less with Mortons)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. (4) Four days before you plan to roast the turkey, mix the herbs and oil in a small bowl. Remove the neck and giblets and reserve for stock, if using. Loosen the skin around the shoulders of the bird and around the cavity. Carefully slide your hands underneath the skin to loosen it from the breast, thighs, and drumsticks.
  2. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it temper on the counter for about 1 to 3 hours. Place turkey breast side up on a rack (sprayed with oil) in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2½ inches deep.
  3. Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F in convection roast setting. If using a probe, insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh not touching the bone and set the temp to 170F. Roast until the temp registers 170°F in the thickest part of a thigh, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or longer depending on the size of the turkey. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to settle.
  4. Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F. Roast the turkey for 1 hour, then reduce the heat to 325°F.
  5. Combine olive oil and herbs. Rub the herbs on the meat, under the skin. Pat the skin back into place.
  6. Continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F in the thickest part of a thigh, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to settle.
  7. Rub the salt inside the cavity and on the skin. Tuck the wing tips behind the neck and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Put the turkey in a large food-safe plastic bag (such as a turkey-size roasting bag) and tie. Put the bag inside a second bag and tie.
  8. Day 1 to 3: Place on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate the turkey, turning it over every day, for 3 days.
  9. Day 4: Remove the turkey from the bags and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer to a large roasting pan and refrigerate, unwrapped, to let the turkey air-dry overnight (for the fourth day).

Notes

  • Nutrition is based on turkey breast no skin.
  • If you don't have 4 days to brine your turkey, and choose to do it less time it will still taste fine!!

Nutrition Information

Serving 6oz turkey breast no skin Calories 225kcal (11%) Protein 45.5g (91%) Fat 3.5g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 121mg (40%) Sodium 896.5mg (37%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 225

% Daily Value*

Serving 6oz turkey breast no skin
Calories 225kcal 11%
Protein 45.5g 91%
Fat 3.5g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 896.5mg 37%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.