BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

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BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY image

Categories     turkey     Bake     Christmas     Thanksgiving

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 31

Brine:
7 quarts water
1 quart apple cider
3/4 cup kosher salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large onion, diced
1 large or 2 small carrots, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
1 head garlic, cut in 1/2 equatorially
1/2 bunch fresh rosemary
1/2 bunch fresh sage
6 bay leaves
1 (12 to 14 pound) turkey, free range organic is great!
Herb crust:
1 bunch fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped
1 bunch fresh sage, leaves finely chopped
3 sticks butter, room temperature
Kosher salt
Gravy:
1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 large or 2 small carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/2-inch dice
5 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
1 bunch thyme
Kosher salt
1 quart chicken stock, divided
2 cups apple cider, divided
1/2 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Brine Combine ingredients for brine. Add turkey and let it brine in refrigerator 2 to 3 days. Turkey Remove turkey from brine the night before and pat dry. Combine rosemary, sage, and butter for herb crust. Salt to taste. Work butter under turkey skin and massage on outside of skin. Tie legs over breast. Gravy Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast until skin gets brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark. Cook until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove from roasting pan to a cutting board and let rest for at least least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil. Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.

Mancia Telusma
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I've made this recipe several times now, and it's always a hit. The turkey is always juicy and flavorful, and the gravy is delicious. I highly recommend it!


Yvette Bruner
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This turkey recipe is a great choice for a special occasion dinner. It's a bit time-consuming, but the results are worth it. The turkey is incredibly flavorful and moist, and the gravy is to die for.


Pookie Hoppy
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I love that this recipe uses fresh herbs in the crust. It gives the turkey a delicious, aromatic flavor. I also really enjoyed the apple cider gravy, which was a nice change from the traditional gravy recipes.


Mujiru Wa muiru
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's totally worth the effort. The turkey is incredibly flavorful and juicy, and the gravy is to die for. I highly recommend it for a special occasion dinner.


Mohammad Umair
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I was a bit skeptical about the apple cider gravy, but I'm so glad I tried it! It's sweet and tangy, and it pairs perfectly with the savory turkey. I'll definitely be making this gravy again.


Michelle Rilling
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I've tried several turkey recipes over the years, but this one is my absolute favorite. The brining process makes the turkey so juicy and tender, and the herb crust adds a delicious crunch. The apple cider gravy is also a perfect complement to the tu


Emari McNeely
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This recipe is a bit pricey, but it's worth every penny. The turkey is incredibly flavorful and moist, and the gravy is to die for. I highly recommend it for a special occasion dinner.


Tonderai Chinoginya
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I'm not a huge fan of turkey, but this recipe changed my mind! The brining process made the meat so tender and juicy, and the herb crust added a delicious flavor. I'll definitely be making this again.


Snoop Burrito
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This turkey was a hit at my Thanksgiving dinner! Everyone loved the moist meat and flavorful crust. The gravy was also delicious, and I especially appreciated the fact that it didn't have any lumps.


Sandisiwe Malingatshoni
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I love the crispy skin on this turkey! The herb crust is a great way to add some extra flavor and texture to the dish. I also really enjoyed the apple cider gravy, which was a nice change from the traditional gravy recipes.


Khan Zadran
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This recipe is a great starting point for those who want to try brining a turkey for the first time. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the results are fantastic. I highly recommend it!


Muhammad Hanzla
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I've made this recipe several times now, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The turkey is always juicy and flavorful, and the gravy is to die for. I've even started using the leftover turkey to make sandwiches and salads, which are also delicious.


Jamarion Mattox
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This turkey recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's totally worth the effort. The brining and roasting process takes some planning, but the end result is a truly special dish that's perfect for a holiday gathering.


Ali shan Shan
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I love that this recipe uses apple cider in the gravy. It gives it a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory turkey. I also appreciated the addition of fresh herbs to the crust, which added a pop of freshness to the dish.


Luke
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The brining process definitely made a difference in the final product. The turkey meat was incredibly moist and tender, even after roasting for several hours. I highly recommend following the brining instructions carefully for the best results.


Taleeq Yaseen
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I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this recipe was to follow. I'm not the most experienced cook, but I was able to pull it off without any major hiccups. The end result was a beautifully golden-brown turkey that was a hit with my guests.


Saith Nabeel
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This turkey recipe is a game-changer! The brining process made the meat incredibly juicy and flavorful, while the herb crust added a crispy, aromatic touch. The apple cider gravy was the perfect complement, tying all the flavors together. My family r