Perfect Turkey Recipe
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Perfect Turkey

By: Shelly White 
"A perfectly seasoned and juicy turkey. My friend from France taught me to cook turkey like this, but she never measures anything so use your own judgment for vegetable amounts, etc. I usually err on the side of 'more is better'!"

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.8 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (853)

What to Drink?

Wine Chardonnay
Prep Time:
30 Min
Cook Time:
4 Hrs
Ready In:
17 Hrs

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 1 (18 pound) turkey
 

Ingredients

  • 1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
  • 2 cups kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large onions, peeled and chopped
  • 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup dry white wine

Directions

  1. Rub the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Place the bird in a large stock pot, and cover with cold water. Place in the refrigerator, and allow the turkey to soak in the salt and water mixture 12 hours, or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey, and discard the brine mixture.
  3. Brush the turkey with 1/2 the melted butter. Place breast side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with 1 onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and the bay leaf. Scatter the remaining vegetables and thyme around the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover with the white wine.
  4. Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Carefully turn the turkey breast side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with the remaining butter. Allow the bird to stand about 30 minutes before carving.

Footnotes

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 4, 2009 by redamber   view full review
Just a quick tip on how to brine a turkey, especially when your fridge is full of other...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2004 by cookin'mama Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
This really does make the juiciest turkey. Cooks Illustrated magazine recommends letting the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 17, 2010 by tawanda   view full review
I loved this recipe when I made it last year for Christmas, but I have a question...when I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 11, 2005 by gfkitchnwitch   view full review
This is outrageous. My husband was a serious skeptic of the brining process... until carving...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 31, 2005 by Gracibabi   view full review
I highly recommend this turkey recipe! Made it for Thanksgiving and it's the best one and the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 10, 2006 by Melissa1977   view full review
Had to downsize recipe since I only had a 12lb turkey. This is the only way I will do turkey...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 4, 2006 by Kimbo Callo   view full review
This was the moistest turkey I have ever had in my entire life. It was gone as fast as...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 1, 2006 by samantha   view full review
All I can say is OMG!! What a GREAT turkey!!! We enjoyed it for Chirstmas dinner and couldn't...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 22, 2006 by Shanna   view full review
fantastic!!! i will never make a turkey another way again!!! The veggies were awesome! I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.8 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2006 by Jenny   view full review
I will never cook a turkey any other way. Tres Bien!

 

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