Dry Brined-Herb Roasted Turkey

By ruthg

Skip the cumbersome wet brines that call for soaking turkey and making the skin flabby. This classic overnight dry brine--a simple herb, salt, and sugar mixture--gives the turkey deep flavor and a crackly crust. Be adventurous and create your own signature dry brine using our sugar and salt ratios as a guide, or try one of our three variations below.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 whole fresh or frozen turkey, thawed, 12 to 14 pounds
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• Wooden picks
• Kitchen string
• Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation

Step 1

Stir together first 6 ingredients.

Remove giblets and neck from turkey; pat turkey dry. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon brine into cavity; rub into cavity. Reserve 1 tablespoon brine, and sprinkle outside of turkey with remaining brine; rub into skin. Chill turkey 10 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together butter and reserved 1 tablespoon brine. Loosen skin from turkey breast without totally detaching skin; spread butter mixture under skin. Replace skin, securing with wooden picks.

Tie ends of legs together with string; tuck wing tips under. Place turkey, breast side up, on a lightly greased (with cooking spray) rack in a large roasting pan.

Bake at 350°F for 2 hours and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion of turkey thigh registers 165°F. Remove from oven; let stand 30 minutes before carving.

Cajun Brine Roasted Turkey: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting paprika for sage, dried oregano for dried thyme, and 2 teaspoons ground red pepper for black pepper.

Jerk Brine Roasted Turkey: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting allspice for sage and onion powder for garlic powder and adding 2 teaspoons ground cumin to brine mixture.

Five Spice Brine Roasted Turkey: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting Chinese five spice for sage and ground ginger for thyme.