Never- Fail Basic Brining Recipe

Directions

1. 1
   Dissolve salt and sugar in water in a large stockpot or clean bucket.
2. 2
   Remove neck and giblets and use to make gravy stock, if desired.
3. 3
   Thoroughly rinse turkey under cool running water.
4. 4
   Immerse the bird in the prepared brining solution and refrigerate or set in very cool (40 F or less) spot for 4 to 6 hours.
5. 5
   (4 hours for small bird, 6 hours for larger bird).
6. 6
   Remove turkey from brine and discard solution.
7. 7
   Rinse both cavities and skin under cool running water for several minutes until all traces of salt are gone.
8. 8
   Pat dry inside and out with paper towels.
9. 9
   Place turkey on meat rack set over rimmed sheet pan.
10. 10
    Place in refrigerator, uncovered, and air-dry for at least 8 hours or overnight.
11. 11
    Pre-heat oven to 400F.
12. 12
    Toss 1/3 of the thyme sprigs, chopped onion, carrot and celery in the body cavity of the turkey and scatter the rest in the bottom of your pan, along with 1 cup water.
13. 13
    Bring turkey legs together and perform a simple truss.
14. 14
    Set V rack in roasting pan, brush breast side with melted butter and place turkey breast side down.
15. 15
    Brush the underside of the bird with the remaining melted butter.
16. 16
    Roast breast side down for 45 minutes.
17. 17
    With wad of paper towelling in each hand, turn turkey, leg/thigh side up, baste with pan juices, return to oven and roast for 15 minutes.
18. 18
    Turn turkey other side up and baste again.
19. 19
    Return to oven and roast another 15 minutes.
20. 20
    Remove from oven a final time, turn breast side up, baste again, and roast turkey until breast registers about 165 F and thigh registers 170 - 175 F (another 30 to 45 minutes).
21. 21
    Remove from roasting pan onto cutting board or serving platter.
22. 22
    Let rest, covered with tin foil, for at least 15 minutes before carving.
23. 23
    Use pan juices to make gravy.