Apple Cider Brined Roasted Turkey

Serves 12

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Combine (12-14 oz.) your favorite brand Turkey brining spice, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 gallon of water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir well; remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add 1 gallon cold water and ½ gallon cold apple cider, Pour brine into a zip-top plastic brining bag or non-reactive container. Add turkey, lemon slices, and fresh or dried herbs; making sure it is completely submerged. Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Turn the turkey a couple of times during brining time to ensure even brining flavor.
2. Roasting the Turkey: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the brine and discard brine. Rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels both inside and out. Place turkey, breast side up, in a large, heavy roasting pan.
3. Rub on all sides with the butter, stuffing some butter and some of the herb rub underneath the skin. Season generously inside and out with the remaining herb Rub. Stuff the turkey loosely with your favorite stuffing recipe or roast unstuffed. Loosely tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string.
4. Place turkey in oven for 30 minutes at 450 degrees then reduce temperature to 325 degrees F. Roast the turkey, covered, for 2 hours. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water when you are through prepping the raw turkey. Uncover and baste the turkey once every 15 minutes of the remaining roasting time with ½ cup stock until turkey is nicely browned and internal temperature of stuffing reaches 170 degrees F., about 3 ½ hours total cooking time*.
5. Remove turkey from the oven and place on a platter. Tent with foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Reserve pan juices for turkey gravy.
6. *Chef’s note: Follow this guide for approximate cooking time: 15min per lb at 325 unstuffed, 20min per lb stuffed, 450 for the first 30min of cooking then down to 325, done at internal temperature of 170 degrees F.