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Dry brine turkey cooked on a platter
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brown sugar and salt dry brine turkey recipe

When you are making your Thanksgiving turkey this year change things up and make this dry brine turkey recipe. This brown sugar and salt dry brine turkey recipe is so easy to make and the result is a juicy roast turkey that is perfect for your holiday meal.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword dry brine, dry brine turkey
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 15
Calories 457kcal
Author Lauren

Ingredients

Dry Turkey Brine

  • 12 pound whole turkey
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt per pound of turkey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoon butter room temperature

Baking Turkey

  • 6 stacks celery
  • 2 onions halved
  • 4 carrots halved
  • 1 stick butter

Instructions

Dry Brine Directions

  • Two days before you plan on cooking your turkey remove the turkey from the refrigerator and dry it off using paper towels.
  • Place it in a large container that you’ll be able to fit into your refrigerator.
  • In a medium mixing bowl combine your salt, brown sugar and pepper together. Rub your salt mixture over the outside and the inside of your turkey making sure to rub this onto the legs in the wings as well.
  • Cover your turkey with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for a day.
  • After the first day in the refrigerator, you will remove the plastic wrap from the turkey and leave it on covered in your refrigerator until the next day.

Dry Brine Turkey Baking Directions

  • Remove turkey from the fridge three hours before you plan on cooking it to bring the turkey up to room temperature.
  • When turkey is at room temperature, Preheat your oven to 500°.
  • Wash your veggies and then Place your vegetables on the bottom of your roasting pan and place your turkey on top. Rub the butter over the whole turkey. You can use melted butter if it is easier.
  • Place your turkey in the oven and reduce the temperature to 350°.
  • Bake the turkey for approximately 15 minutes per pound of turkey or until it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. 
  • Allowed turkey to rest for a half an hour before carving it.

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 491mg | Potassium: 655mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3120IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2.3mg