Juicy Roast Turkey
Recipe video above. This is still the only way I roast a whole turkey - dry brined with a seasoned salt. Start it in a hot oven upside down, then finish in a lower oven right side up. Brush with lots of butter, but only add minced garlic and fresh herbs towards the end else it burns. The turkey fles
Foto: RecipeTin Eats — Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Ingredients
- 10 lb / 5kg whole turkey (, thawed (plain not pre brined) (Note 1))
- 2 1/2 tbsp kosher salt / cooking salt ((Note 2))
- 2 tsp dried thyme (, or other herb of choice)
- 1 tsp paprika (, sweet or ordinary)
- 1 tsp garlic powder ((optional))
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 heads of garlic (, halved horizontally (ie 4 halves))
- 1 onion (, halved - skin on is fine (brown, yellow, white))
- 2 small bunch mixed herbs (, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley (optional, Note 3))
- 10 tbsp (150g) unsalted butter (, melted)
- 1 tbsp (in total) sage, rosemary and thyme (, finely chopped - equal amounts of each (Note 3))
- 3 g arlic cloves (, minced)
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine (, or water (Note 4))
- Salt & pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth / stock (, low sodium)
- 5 tbsp flour (, plain / all purpose)
- Salt and pepper
Steps
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Rub turkey with the Salt Rub, wrap mummy-like in cling wrap. Fridge 48 hrs, flipping halfway. Stuff, roast upside down 30min in hot 220°C/425°F (200°C fan) oven, flip, garlic-herb-butter baste, finish roasting in lower oven 165°C/325°F (150°C fan).
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Salt Rub: Mix together the Rub ingredients.
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Prep Turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, inside and out. Remove giblets or anything else inside the turkey. (Note 5)
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Sprinkle: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the Salt Rub inside the turkey and use you hand to spread it (roughly is fine). Turn the turkey upside down, then rub 1 teaspoon of the Salt Rub on the underside.
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Turn the turkey upright and rub the remaining Salt Rub on the turkey, using most on the breast - even some under the skin if you can.
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Wrap turkey mummy-like in lots of cling wrap (works best, I find) or place the turkey in a sealable plastic bag (Note 6).
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Place turkey upside down in baking pan. Refrigerate 2 days (minimum) up to 3 days (4 days adds nothing, I find).
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24 hours later: Flip turkey so it's right side up.
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24 (to 48 hours) later: unwrap turkey. The skin should be moist but not wet. If wet, pat dry. Leave out for 30 min before roasting.
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Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F (200°C fan-forced)
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Prep for roasting: Place the onions and garlic in a roasting pan. Place a roasting rack on top - if you have one (Note 8 for sub).
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Stuff bunch of herbs + 2 garlic halves + 3 tbsp butter (45g) inside the turkey. Tie drumsticks together with kitchen twine (optional).
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Place turkey UPSIDE DOWN on the rack. Twist the wings so they are on top - see video. Brush with a bit of melted butter. Sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt and pepper.
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Wine - Pour wine in roasting pan.
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Roast for 30 minutes.
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Flip & brush - Use a tea towel to turn the turkey over so it's right side up. Brush with butter, sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt and pepper.
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Turn oven down to 165°C/325°F (150°C fan).
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Roast turkey 45 minutes.
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Garlic herb butter: Mix remaining butter with garlic and herbs. Brush turkey generously with butter.
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Roast turkey for a further 30 minutes or until a) the thermometer that comes with the turkey pops up; or b) a thermometer inserted between the breast and leg reads 165°F/75°C. (Notes 9, 10). Cover loosely with foil if browning too much.
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Rest: Remove turkey onto serving plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 30 minutes before transferring to platter for presentation and carving (see in post for styling idea).
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Serve turkey with gravy and/or Cranberry Sauce.
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Place roasting pan (with garlic, onion etc still in it) on the stove over medium high heat. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes.
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Add broth and use a potato masher to mash the onion and garlic into the mixture. Use a wooden spoon to scrap the bottom of the pan. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
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Strain into a bowl, pressing down to extract all the flavour out of the onion and garlic. Transfer to gravy boat.
💰 Cost Estimate
📋 Price Breakdown (12% ingredients detected)
| Ingredient | Amount | Unit Price | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| / 5kg whole turkey | 10 lb | - | - |
| kosher salt / cooking salt | 1 tbsp | - | - |
| dried thyme | 2 tsp | - | - |
| paprika | 1 tsp | Rp 40.000/kg | Rp 200 |
| garlic powder | 1 tsp | Rp 8.000/100g | Rp 400 |
| black pepper | 0.5 tsp | - | - |
| heads of garlic | 2 | - | - |
| onion | 1 | - | - |
| small bunch mixed herbs | 2 | - | - |
| 10 tbsp | - | - | |
| 1 tbsp | - | - | |
| arlic cloves | 3 g | - | - |
| dry white wine | 0.5 cups | - | - |
| Salt & pepper | - | - | - |
| chicken broth / stock | 4 cups | - | - |
| flour | 5 tbsp | - | - |
| Salt and pepper | - | - | - |
*Estimated market prices, may vary by region


















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