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Juicy Two-Stage Thanksgiving Turkey Marinade

SUBMITTED BY: jaclynfarr 

"This recipe has two different marinades that are started on Tuesday morning. This is a marinade recipe only, and makes a pre-Thanksgiving marinade for a juicy turkey with lots of flavor."
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RECIPE RATING:
This recipe has been rated 3 times with an average star rating of 5.0
Read Reviews (3)
PREP TIME  25 Min
READY IN  2 Days 25 Min
Original recipe yield 1 marinated turkey

SERVINGS

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Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • Brine (for Tuesday morning)
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 (15 pound) turkey, thawed if purchased frozen
  •  
  • Marinade (for Wednesday morning)
  • 3 oranges, sliced
  • 3 lemons, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. On the Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving, whisk together salt, orange juice, brown sugar, a cinnamon stick and water in a large nonreactive container with a cover, such as a large stainless steel stockpot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve, about 5 minutes. Place the turkey into the brine, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  2. The next day, remove turkey from the first marinade, shake off excess, and pat the bird dry. Discard the brine. Clean the stockpot or brining container.
  3. In the clean stockpot, make the marinade by stirring together together sliced oranges, sliced lemons, onion, green bell pepper, parsley, cloves, garlic powder, cinnamon sticks, paprika, olive oil, and pepper. Place the turkey into the stockpot and rub the marinade into the turkey. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  4. On Thanksgiving Day, remove turkey from the marinade and shake off the excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Roast the turkey using your favorite method.

FOOTNOTES

  • Editor's Note
  • Always brine foods in a food-grade, nonreactive container such as a stainless steel or enameled stockpot, a brining bag, or a food-grade plastic bucket. Never use ordinary trash bags, plastic trash cans, or metal buckets or containers not meant for food use.
  • To learn more about marinating your holiday turkey before roasting, read our helpful article, Brining Turkey.
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REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 5 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 27, 2008 by Karizma 
This turkey marinade is awesome the taste it gives is undeniably the best i have EVER EVER... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 5 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 26, 2008 by LauraE 
Just used this recipe for Christmas, 2008. Turkey was moist and very flavorful. I highly... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 5 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 2, 2008 by SMMSUSAN 
Turkey was excellent! This redcipe made it juicy and flavorful. DH said this was the best... MORE


 
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Nutritional Information
Juicy Two-Stage Thanksgiving Turkey Marinade

Servings Per Recipe: 15

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 178

  • Total Fat: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 17mg
  • Sodium: 7472mg
  • Total Carbs: 27.1g
  •     Dietary Fiber: 3.6g
  • Protein: 7.3g

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