Brined, Herb Grilled Turkey - cooking recipe
Ingredients
-
turkey brine solution
1 1/2 cups salt
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 oranges, quartered
4 lemons, quartered
9 sprigs fresh thyme
6 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 gallons cold water
herb grilled turkey
1 (18 -24 lb) whole turkey
2 large oranges, cut into 1/8ths
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
salt and pepper
2 large yellow onions, cut into 1/8ths
2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/2 bunch fresh sage
6 sprigs fresh parsley
2 cups turkey stock, for basting
Preparation
-
To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 3 gallons of cold water in a large clean, heavy-duty, food grade plastic storage bag. Add the oranges, lemons, thyme, and rosemary.
Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water. Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels inside and out.
Place turkey, breast side up, in a large, foil roasting pan with a rack. Rub breast side with orange segments and rub on all sides with the butter, stuffing some underneath the skin.
Season lightly inside and out with salt and pepper.
Stuff the turkey with the onion, remaining orange, celery, carrot, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, sage and parsley.
Loosely tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string. Grill the turkey, uncovered, breast side down for 1 hour.
Remove from the grill turn, and baste with 1/2 cup stock. Cover with foil and continue grilling with the breast side up until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the largest section of thigh about 3 to 3 1/2 hours total cooking time. Baste the turkey once every hour with 1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken or turkey stock.
Remove from the grill and place on a platter. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Leave a comment