Our new favorite turkey technique — dry brining — flavors and locks in moisture during a hands-off "curing" period for a juicy, perfectly seasoned bird. The mixture of coriander, pink peppercorns and grapefruit zest is fragrant and distinctive. Garnish the serving platter with fresh herbs and citrus peel. Watch our how-to video.
Special Diets:
Ingredients
Method
Combine coriander, peppercorns, fennel and bay leaves in a small, heavy skillet over medium heat.
Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
Grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until crushed but not powdered.
Return spices to the bowl and stir in salt, sugar and grapefruit zest.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Rub spice mixture all over turkey and in cavity.
Place turkey on a rack set in a roasting pan and refrigerate uncovered 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325F.
Rinse spice mixture off turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
Rub butter all over turkey, working a little underneath skin of breast.
Tuck wing tips under turkey and tie legs together with kitchen twine.
Return turkey breast-side up to the rack-lined roasting pan.
Roast for 1 1/2 hours.
Tent breast loosely with aluminum foil and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh, without touching bone, reads 165F, or juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 2 hours more.
Start checking for doneness about 1 hour before the total roasting time is reached.
Let turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Nutritional Info
Serving Size
Calories
520
Total Fat
Saturated Fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Total Carbohydrate
Dietary Fiber
Total Sugars
Protein
Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.