Grandma's Moist Roast Turkey 🦃✨

This mouthwatering roast turkey recipe is a family favorite, passed down through generations. The secret to its incredible moistness lies in a combination of a flavorful brine and a luscious herb butter that gets tucked under the skin. This turkey is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, and it will leave your guests raving about the juicy, tender meat. Serve it with your favorite side dishes and enjoy the festivities! 🎉🥧

Ingredients

For the brine

• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of kosher salt
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 2 tablespoons of black peppercorns
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon of zest from an orange or lemon

For the herb butter

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of fresh sage, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Zest from 1 lemon

For the turkey

• 1 whole turkey (about 12-14 pounds)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• Fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme) for stuffing the cavity

Instructions

1. Brine the turkey: In a large pot, combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, crushed garlic, peppercorns, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and citrus zest. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.

   🧊 Make sure the brine is cold before submerging the turkey. You can chill it in the refrigerator or add ice to cool it down quickly.

2. Submerge the turkey: Place the turkey in a large, food-safe container or a brining bag. Pour the brine over the turkey, ensuring it is fully submerged. Seal the bag or cover the container, and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.

3. Prepare the herb butter: In a bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Mix until well combined.

   🌿 This herb butter adds a flavor-packed layer of moisture that makes all the difference!

4. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.

5. Prepare the turkey: Gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast using your fingers, being careful not to tear it. Spread half of the herb butter underneath the skin, massaging it into the breast meat. Rub the remaining butter all over the turkey, including the legs and wings.

6. Stuff the cavity: Insert the quartered onion, lemon, and fresh herbs into the turkey cavity. This will infuse even more flavor during roasting.

7. Roast the turkey: Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). This usually takes about 13-15 minutes per pound (about 2.5-4 hours).

   🔥 If the skin begins to darken too much, cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.

8. Rest before carving: Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every slice is juicy!

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the herb butter for a slight heat that contrasts beautifully with the turkey's richness. 🔥
• Citrus Infusion: Replace the lemon zest with lime or grapefruit zest in the herb butter for a unique twist. 🍊
• Herb Lover’s Delight: Use different fresh herbs like tarragon or oregano for the herb butter, adapting it to your taste preferences! 🌱
• Smoked Turkey: If you have a smoker, try smoking the turkey for additional depth of flavor. Just be sure to monitor the internal temperature closely!

With this Moist Roast Turkey recipe, you'll create a centerpiece that's not only beautiful but bursting with flavor. Your gatherings will be memorable as your loved ones savor every bite! 🥳🥂