How to Make Juicy Two-Stage Thanksgiving Turkey Marinade - A Step-by-Step Guide

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends to give thanks and enjoy a delicious feast. And no Thanksgiving feast is complete without a perfectly cooked, juicy turkey. If you're looking to take your Thanksgiving turkey to the next level, then look no further than this Juicy Two-Stage Thanksgiving Turkey Marinade recipe.

This marinade is designed to infuse your turkey with flavor and keep it moist and juicy throughout the cooking process. The two-stage process ensures ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 (15 pound) turkey, thawed if purchased frozen
  • 3 oranges, sliced
  • 3 lemons, sliced
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • ¼ cup garlic powder
  • 2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons ground black pepper

Information

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 days
  • Total Time: 2 days 25 mins
  • Servings: 15
  • Yield: 1 marinated turkey

  • On the Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving, whisk together salt, orange juice, brown sugar, a cinnamon stick and water in a large nonreactive container with a cover, such as a large stainless steel stockpot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve, about 5 minutes. Place the turkey into the brine, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  • The next day, remove turkey from the first marinade, shake off excess, and pat the bird dry. Discard the brine. Clean the stockpot or brining container.
  • In the clean stockpot, make the marinade by stirring together together sliced oranges, sliced lemons, onion, green bell pepper, parsley, cloves, garlic powder, cinnamon sticks, paprika, olive oil, and pepper. Place the turkey into the stockpot and rub the marinade into the turkey. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • On Thanksgiving Day, remove turkey from the marinade and shake off the excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Roast the turkey using your favorite method.
  • Nutrition

    814 cal.

    • Total Fat: 36g
    • Saturated Fat: 10g
    • Cholesterol: 268mg
    • Sodium: 238mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 27g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 20g
    • Protein: 93g
    • Vitamin C: 51mg
    • Calcium: 156mg
    • Iron: 7mg
    • Potassium: 1150mg