Best 8 Citrus And Herb Brined Roasted Turkey With Gravy Recipes

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Creating the perfect roasted turkey for any special occasion takes planning and careful execution. The key to a succulent and flavorful turkey lies in the brining process. Citrus and herb brining is a popular technique that infuses the turkey with a delightful blend of tangy citrus and aromatic herbs. This flavorful brine not only enhances the turkey's natural juices but also results in a tender and moist texture. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of creating a citrus and herb brine, selecting the right turkey, and preparing it for roasting. We will also provide tips for achieving crispy skin and a luscious gravy that will complete your roasted turkey masterpiece.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CITRUS-HERB TURKEY & GRAVY



Citrus-Herb Turkey & Gravy image

Dry-brining the turkey allows the spices to penetrate the meat. A compound butter of garlic, citrus zests, and fresh herbs goes under the skin just before cooking so that those flavors are vibrant. When buying a turkey, make sure it has giblets-they're essential to the gravy.

Provided by Layla Schlack

Categories     Main Course

Yield 8 to 10, with leftovers

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 oz. kosher salt (3 Tbs. Diamond Crystal or 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. Morton)
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1 14- to 16-lb. fresh natural turkey (or frozen, thawed)
1/2 small yellow onion, quartered
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 cups lower-salt chicken broth
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened
3 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
1 Tbs. finely grated grapefruit zest
1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
2 tsp. chopped fresh sage
1 cup London dry gin
1-1/8 oz. (1/4 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, celery seed, and coriander. Remove the neck, tail, and giblets from the turkey and reserve for the broth. Remove any plastic parts such as pop-up timers and leg ties. Pat dry with paper towels, and place breast side up on a wire rack in a large flameproof roasting pan.
  • Using your fingers, gently separate the skin from the meat, taking care not to tear the skin. Spread half of the salt rub under the skin, massaging it directly onto the meat. Massage the remaining rub all over the skin and in the cavity.
  • Refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the turkey neck, tail, giblets (excluding the liver), and onion with the oil and arrange in a single layer. Roast, flipping once, until well browned, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a heavy-duty 3- to 4-quart pot. Pour 1 cup of the chicken broth onto the hot baking sheet and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spatula; transfer to the pot. Add the remaining broth and bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the solids. You should have about 2 cups.
  • In a small bowl, with a fork, mash the butter with the garlic, citrus zests, rosemary, and sage until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of the butter. Rub the rest under the skin of the breast and thighs. Tuck the wings behind the neck and tie the legs together with twine.
  • Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350°F.
  • Roast the turkey uncovered, basting every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh registers 170°F, about 2 hours. (If the breast becomes too dark, cover with foil.) Remove from the oven, transfer to a carving board, and tent with foil. Let rest at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  • Pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator; allow the fat to rise to the top, about 5 minutes, and discard.
  • Add the gin to the roasting pan. Boil over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 2 minutes. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve set over a 3- to 4-quart heavy-duty saucepan. Add the defatted pan drippings and the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and reduce to 2 cups.
  • Using a fork, mash the flour with the reserved herb butter until thoroughly combined. Whisk 1 Tbs. of the butter mixture into the broth mixture and continue adding, 1 Tbs. at a time, until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
  • Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 8 to 10, with leftovers, Calories 660 kcal, Fat 260 kcal, SaturatedFat 12 g, TransFat 29 g, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 83 g, Cholesterol 310 mg, Sodium 1080 mg, UnsaturatedFat 15 g

CITRUS & HERB ROASTED TURKEY BREAST



Citrus & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast image

This recipe will make you love turkey again. Brining with lemon, rosemary and orange juice makes it so moist and flavorful. It's the star attraction at our table. -Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 cups water
3/4 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 medium lemons, quartered
6 fresh rosemary sprigs
6 fresh thyme sprigs
8 garlic cloves, halved
1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper
2 cups cold apple juice
2 cups cold orange juice
2 large oven roasting bags
1 bone-in turkey breast (5 to 6 pounds)
HERB BUTTER:
1/3 cup butter, softened
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
SEASONED SALT BUTTER:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Steps:

  • In a 6-qt. stockpot, combine the first 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add cold juices to brine; cool to room temperature., Place 1 oven roasting bag inside the other. Place turkey breast inside both bags; pour in cooled brine. Seal bags, pressing out as much air as possible, and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally., In a small bowl, beat herb butter ingredients until blended. Remove turkey from brine; rinse and pat dry. Discard brine. Place turkey on a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub herb butter under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Refrigerate, covered, 18-24 hours., Preheat oven to 425°. In a small bowl, mix butter and seasoned salt; brush over outside of turkey. Roast 15 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 325°. Roast 1-3/4-2-1/4 hours longer or until a thermometer reads 170°. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.) Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 23g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 151mg cholesterol, Sodium 482mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 48g protein.

HERB ROASTED TURKEY WITH PAN GRAVY



Herb Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 3h25m

Yield 12 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 carton (26 ounces) Swanson® Chicken Stock (Regular orUnsalted) (about 3¼ cups)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • 1.Remove the package of giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Tie the ends of the drumsticks together.
  • 2.Place the turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush the turkey with the oil. Season with the salt and black pepper. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, not touching the bone.
  • 3.Stir the stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and 1/8 teaspoon additional black pepper in a large bowl. Reserve 1 3/4 cups stock mixture for the gravy. Pour the remaining stock mixture over the turkey.
  • 4.Roast at 325°F. for 3 hours or until the thermometer reads 165°F., basting occasionally with the pan drippings. Begin checking for doneness after 2 1/2 hours of the roasting time.
  • 5.Remove the turkey from the pan, cover and keep warm. Spoon off any fat and pour off all but 1 1/2 cups pan drippings.
  • 6.Stir the reserved stock mixture and the flour in a medium bowl until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour mixture to the pan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils and thickens, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Season, if desired. Serve the gravy with the turkey.

BRINED, HERB ROASTED TURKEY



Brined, Herb Roasted Turkey image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time P1DT3h40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 32

4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 oranges, quartered
2 lemons, quartered
6 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs rosemary
1 (10 to 12-pound) turkey
1 large orange, cut into 1/8ths
1 large yellow onion, cut into 1/8ths
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs thyme
Salt and pepper
2 sprigs rosemary
1/2 bunch sage
3 or 4 sprigs parsley
1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken or turkey stock, for basting
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Reserved turkey neck and giblets
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 large celery stalk, coarsely chopped
1 small bay leaf
3 cups turkey stock, chicken stock, or canned low-salt chicken broth
3 cups water
4 cups turkey broth
1 cup dry white wine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • For the Brine:
  • To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a nonreactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, food grade plastic storage bag). Add the oranges, lemons, thyme, and rosemary. Note: if you have a big turkey and need more brine than this, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.
  • Remove the neck, giblets, and liver from the cavity of the turkey and reserve for the gravy. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
  • Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels both inside and out. Place turkey, breast side up, in a large, heavy roasting pan. 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. Roast the turkey, uncovered, breast side down for 1 hour.
  • Remove from the oven, turn, and baste with 1/2 cup stock. Continue roasting with the breast side up until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the largest section of thigh (avoiding the bone), about 2 3/4 to 3 hours total cooking time. Baste the turkey once every hour with 1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken or turkey stock.
  • Remove from the oven and place on a platter. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
  • For the turkey broth:
  • Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the turkey neck, heart, and gizzard to the pan and saute until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add the chopped vegetables and bay leaf to the pan and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Pour the stock and 3 cups of water into the pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the stock is reduced to 4 cups, about 1 hour, adding the chopped liver to the pan during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Strain the stock into a clean pot or large measuring cup. Pull the meat off the neck, chop the neck meat and giblets, and set aside.
  • For the pan gravy:
  • Pour the reserved turkey pan juices into a glass-measuring cup and skim off the fat.
  • Place the roasting pan on 2 stovetop burners over medium heat add the pan juice and 1 cup turkey broth and the white wine to the pan, and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining 3 cup of broth and bring to a simmer, then transfer to a measuring cup. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, to make a light roux. Add the hot stock, whisking constantly, then simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the reserved neck meat and giblets to the pan and adjust seasoning, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
  • Slice and serve guests with desired sides.

CITRUS HERB TURKEY



Citrus Herb Turkey image

When it came to a roasting turkey, my grandmother had the magic touch: She would wrap a turkey in foil and cook it on low heat for eight hours so it would bake up juicy and tender. This version doesn't take that long, but it's just as good. -Portia Gorman, Los Angeles, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h10m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (1 ounce) fresh rosemary, divided
1 package (1 ounce) fresh thyme, divided
3/4 cup softened unsalted butter, divided
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium apple, chopped
1 medium orange, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 small sweet orange pepper, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Line a roasting pan with 3 pieces of heavy-duty foil (pieces should be long enough to cover turkey). Mince half the rosemary and thyme from each package (about 1/4 cup total). In a small bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and minced herbs until blended. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Mix seasoned salt, garlic powder and pepper; sprinkle over turkey and inside turkey cavity., Cube remaining butter. In a large bowl, combine butter, apple, orange, onion, orange pepper and remaining herb sprigs; spoon inside cavity. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Place turkey in prepared pan, breast side up., Bring edges of foil over turkey to cover. Roast, covered, 1 hour. Carefully open foil and fold it down. Reduce oven setting to 325°. Roast, uncovered, 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly., Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving. Discard fruit mixture from cavity. If desired, skim fat and thicken pan drippings for gravy. Serve with turkey.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488 calories, Fat 27g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 207mg cholesterol, Sodium 322mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 55g protein.

CITRUS AND HERB TURKEY



Citrus and Herb Turkey image

Roasted with orange, lemon, garlic, and fresh sage and thyme in its cavity, this simple citrus and herb turkey makes a spectacular Thanksgiving centerpiece. An easy pan gravy is the finishing touch.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 whole turkey (about 14 pounds), patted dry
2 tablespoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 orange, halved
1 lemon, halved
1 small yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 head garlic, halved
6 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs sage
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups chicken stock, warm
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 with rack in lower third position.
  • Season cavity of turkey with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stuff cavity with orange, lemon, onion, garlic, and herbs. Tie legs with twine and transfer turkey to a rack set inside a roasting pan.
  • Rub skin with olive oil and season with remaining salt and pepper.
  • Pour 2 cups chicken stock into roasting pan and transfer to oven. Roast turkey for 2 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 165 degrees. After first hour of roasting, baste turkey every 30 minutes, and tent with foil if skin becomes deep golden brown before turkey is cooked.
  • Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a carving board. Let stand at least 15 minutes.
  • Place roasting pan on stovetop over medium-high heat and bring pan drippings and remaining 1 cup chicken stock to a simmer. Combine milk and flour in a mason jar and shake vigorously to combine. Whisk milk mixture into gravy and simmer, whisking constantly, until gravy thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
  • Carve turkey and serve with gravy.

HERB ROASTED TURKEY WITH CITRUS GLAZE



Herb Roasted Turkey With Citrus Glaze image

Make and share this Herb Roasted Turkey With Citrus Glaze recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Mirj2338

Categories     Whole Turkey

Time 4h20m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (15 lb) fresh, frozen turkey, lemons or 1 (15 lb) fresh, frozen turkey, , , thawed
3 large lemons
2 large limes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
gravy
1 bunch fresh sage
1 bunch marjoram
1 bunch thyme

Steps:

  • Remove giblets and neck from turkey, reserve for gravy.
  • Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well.
  • Blot dry with paper towels.
  • Peel lemons and limes.
  • Squeeze juice from lemons and limes to make least 2 tablespoons juice of each.
  • Cut the remaining fruit in half and place in the turkey cavity.
  • Sprinkle salt in the cavity.
  • In a small bowl, mix the wine, brown sugar and citrus juices; reserve for glaze.
  • Gently loosen skin from the turkey breast without totally detaching skin and carefully place 1 tablespoon each of marjoram and sage under the skin.
  • Replace skin.
  • Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with 1 or two skewers.
  • Fold the wings under the back of the turkey.
  • Return legs to tucked position.
  • Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (about 2 1/2" deep) roasting pan.
  • Rub turkey with salt, pepper and oil.
  • Insert an oven safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, being careful the pointed end of the thermometer does not touch the bone.
  • Roast turkey in a pre-heated, 325° F.
  • oven for about 3 3/4 hours.
  • During the last hour of cooking time, baste with the pan drippings.
  • During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, baste with the citrus glaze.
  • Loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent over browning.
  • Continue to roast until thermometer registers 180 degrees F in the thigh, or 170 degrees F.
  • in the breast.
  • Remove turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

CITRUS TURKEY BRINE



Citrus Turkey Brine image

A great citrus brine recipe. This will leave your Turkey very moist. You could also use it on other poultry in smaller amounts.

Provided by MPRADO

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup salt
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic
4 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 ½ gallons cold water

Steps:

  • Rub salt onto your turkey, and place remaining salt, lemons, oranges, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme and pepper into a large pot. Place the turkey in the pot, and fill with water. Refrigerate overnight. Discard brine after removing turkey.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5.7 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 6239.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

Tips:

  • Brine the turkey for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours. This will help to keep the turkey moist and flavorful during roasting.
  • Use a combination of citrus fruits and herbs in the brine. This will give the turkey a bright, flavorful taste.
  • Roast the turkey at a high temperature for the first 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature and continue roasting until the turkey is cooked through. This will help to create a crispy skin and juicy meat.
  • Baste the turkey with the pan juices every 30 minutes or so. This will help to keep the turkey moist and prevent it from drying out.
  • Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, making it more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

This citrus and herb-brined roasted turkey is a delicious and festive dish that is perfect for any special occasion. The brine infuses the turkey with flavor, while the roasting process creates a crispy skin and juicy meat. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make this turkey the star of your next holiday meal.

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