Dry Brine Turkey

Dry brine turkey by generously rubbing salt and pepper over a whole turkey in advance for an easy way to get a moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey.

Dry Brine Turkey

Course: ThanksgivingCuisine: European
Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

2

minutes
Additional Time

3

minutes
Total Time

3 days 12 hrs 15 mins

Servings

15

Yield

1 (15-pound) turkey

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 pound) — whole turkey, neck and giblets removed

  • 3 tablespoons — kosher salt

  • undefined — freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 — onion, cut into wedges

  • 4 stalks — celery, halved

Directions

  • Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Season inside and outside of turkey with kosher salt, focusing on 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.

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