How to Make Dry Brine Turkey - A Step-by-Step Guide

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones and sharing a delicious meal, and the star of the show is often a perfectly cooked turkey. If you're looking for a new way to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey this year, consider trying a dry brine. Dry brining is a simple and effective method for infusing flavor and moisture into the meat, resulting in a juicy and flavorful bird that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Unlike traditional wet brining, which involves subme...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 onion, cut into wedges
  • 4 stalks celery, halved

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 3 days 9 hrs 30 mins
  • Total Time: 3 days 12 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 15
  • Yield: 1 15-pound turkey

  • Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Season the inside and outside of turkey with kosher salt, focusing on the breast and thighs. Place turkey, breast-side up, in the roasting pan and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate turkey for about 2 days.
  • Flip turkey breast-side down, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 1 more day.
  • Remove plastic wrap and place turkey on a rack over a baking sheet the night before you plan to roast. Allow turkey to air-dry in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
  • Bring turkey to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours; pat dry with paper towels. Season turkey with black pepper and place onion and celery in the cavity.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place turkey, breast-side down, in a roasting pan.
  • Roast in the preheated oven until skin is golden, about 30 minutes. Remove turkey from oven and flip to breast-side up. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C); continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 2 hours.
  • Transfer turkey to a large platter and loosely tent with aluminum foil; allow turkey to rest about 30 minutes before carving.
  • Nutrition

    684 cal.

    • Total Fat: 32g
    • Saturated Fat: 9g
    • Cholesterol: 268mg
    • Sodium: 1383mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 1g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 92g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 91mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 953mg