Alton Brown’s Foolproof Method for Roasting a Turkey

Alton Brown’s Foolproof Turkey Roasting

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about roasting a turkey. If you’re looking for a foolproof way to cook a delicious, moist turkey, look no further than Alton Brown’s method.

Brown is a renowned chef and television personality, and he has a wealth of experience in the kitchen. His turkey roasting method is simple to follow, and it produces a turkey that is juicy and flavorful.

In this article, we will walk you through Brown’s turkey roasting method step-by-step. We will also provide some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect turkey this Thanksgiving.

So whether you’re a seasoned cook or a complete novice, read on for all the information you need to roast a turkey like Alton Brown!

Ingredients	Instructions	Notes
1 (12- to 14-pound) turkey 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and sage 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper	Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove the giblets from the turkey and reserve for another use. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place the turkey breast-side up in a large roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the butter, herbs, olive oil, wine, salt, and pepper. Brush the turkey with the butter mixture. Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil. Roast the turkey for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.	For a more flavorful turkey, brine the turkey in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for several hours or overnight before roasting. If you don’t have a roasting pan large enough to hold the turkey breast-side up, you can roast it breast-side down. Just be sure to baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so to prevent the breast from drying out. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound.

Introduction

Turkey is a popular holiday dish, but it can be difficult to cook perfectly. Alton Brown’s turkey roasting method is a foolproof way to get a juicy, flavorful turkey every time.

Brown’s method involves brining the turkey in a salt water solution, then roasting it in a low oven. This helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful, and prevents it from drying out.

Brown also shares some tips for making the best gravy and stuffing. With Brown’s help, you’ll be able to cook a Thanksgiving turkey that your guests will love.

Ingredients

* 1 (12-14 pound) turkey
* 1 gallon water
* 1 cup salt
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup kosher salt
* 1/4 cup black peppercorns
* 1/4 cup fresh thyme leaves
* 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves
* 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves
* 1 head garlic, halved
* 1 onion, quartered
* 2 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 2 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 cup dry white wine

Instructions

1. Brining the turkey. The first step is to brine the turkey. To do this, combine the water, salt, brown sugar, kosher salt, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, onion, celery, and carrots in a large stockpot. Bring the brine to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the brine from the heat and let it cool completely.
2. Placing the turkey in the brine. Once the brine has cooled, place the turkey in a large container. Pour the brine over the turkey, making sure that it is completely submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate the turkey for 18-24 hours.
3. Removing the turkey from the brine. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Discard the brine.
4. Roasting the turkey. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
5. Trussing the turkey. Truss the turkey by tying the legs together and tucking the wings under the body.
6. Rubbing the turkey with butter. Rub the turkey with butter, then season it with salt and pepper.
7. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and pour the chicken broth and white wine around it.
8. Roasting the turkey. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
9. Letting the turkey rest. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Tips for making the best gravy and stuffing.

* To make the best gravy, use the drippings from the roasting pan. To do this, remove the turkey from the pan and set it aside. Place the roasting pan over low heat and add 1 cup of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Skim off any fat that rises to the surface.
* To make the best stuffing, use a mixture of bread cubes, chopped vegetables, and herbs. You can also add meat, such as sausage or chicken. Season the stuffing with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
* Before stuffing the turkey, make sure that the cavity is completely dry. You can do this by patting it dry with paper towels.
* Stuff the turkey loosely. If you stuff the turkey too tightly, it will not cook evenly.
* Bake the stuffed turkey for the same amount of time as a regular turkey.

Alton Brown’s turkey roasting method is a foolproof way to get a juicy, flavorful turkey every time. With Brown’s help, you’ll be able to cook a Thanksgiving turkey that your guests will love.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). If you are using a convection oven, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry.

Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Be sure to remove any giblets or neck from the cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

Season the turkey.

There are many different ways to season a turkey. You can use a dry rub, a wet brine, or a combination of the two.

Dry rub: To make a dry rub, mix together your favorite spices and herbs. Rub the mixture all over the turkey, inside and out.

Wet brine: To make a wet brine, dissolve 1 cup of salt in 4 cups of water. Add the turkey to the brine and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry.

Combination: You can also combine a dry rub and a wet brine. Rub the turkey with a dry rub, then place it in the brine. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry.

Truss the turkey.

Trussing a turkey helps to keep it in shape while it cooks. To truss a turkey, cut a piece of kitchen twine about 3 feet long. Center the twine under the turkey’s breast. Bring the ends of the twine up over the wings and cross them in front of the neck. Bring the ends of the twine back down under the turkey and tie them together in a knot.

Cook the turkey.

The cooking time for a turkey will vary depending on its size. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

To cook a turkey, place it in a roasting pan breast-side up. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.

Roast the turkey for the specified cooking time. Remove the foil from the pan and continue to cook the turkey for 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the meat is cooked through.

Let the turkey rest.

After you have cooked the turkey, let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy turkey.

Conclusion.

Alton Brown’s turkey roasting method is a simple and foolproof way to cook a delicious turkey. By following these steps, you can be sure to have a perfectly roasted turkey for your next holiday meal.

Q: What is the best way to roast a turkey according to Alton Brown?

A: Alton Brown recommends roasting a turkey in a 350 degree F oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes per pound. The turkey should be basted every 30 minutes with melted butter or pan drippings.

Q: What are some tips for making a moist turkey?

A: Here are a few tips for making a moist turkey:

* Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
* Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with melted butter or pan drippings.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when roasting a turkey?

A: Here are a few common mistakes people make when roasting a turkey:

* Overcooking the turkey. The turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
* Not basting the turkey. Basting the turkey every 30 minutes with melted butter or pan drippings will help keep it moist.
* Not letting the turkey rest. Letting the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving will help the juices redistribute and make the meat more moist.

Q: What are some alternative methods for roasting a turkey?

A: In addition to roasting a turkey in the oven, you can also roast it in a slow cooker, on a rotisserie, or over a campfire.

* To roast a turkey in a slow cooker, place the turkey in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
* To roast a turkey on a rotisserie, place the turkey on a rotisserie and cook over indirect heat for 2-3 hours.
* To roast a turkey over a campfire, place the turkey on a grill over indirect heat and cook for 2-3 hours.

Q: What are some side dishes that go well with roasted turkey?

A: Here are a few side dishes that go well with roasted turkey:

* Mashed potatoes
* Stuffing
* Cranberry sauce
* Green bean casserole
* Sweet potato casserole
* Cornbread dressing

Q: What are some tips for carving a turkey?

A: Here are a few tips for carving a turkey:

* Use a sharp knife.
* Carve the turkey on a cutting board.
* Start by removing the legs and thighs.
* Then, remove the wings.
* Finally, remove the breast meat.

Q: How long can I keep a leftover turkey in the fridge?

A: Leftover turkey can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Q: How long can I keep a leftover turkey in the freezer?

A: Leftover turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Alton Brown’s turkey roasting method is a simple and foolproof way to cook a delicious and moist turkey. By following his steps, you can ensure that your turkey will be evenly cooked and flavorful, no matter what your skill level in the kitchen.

Here are the key takeaways from Alton Brown’s turkey roasting method:

* Start with a fresh, high-quality turkey. The best turkeys are those that are free-range and hormone-free.
* Rub the turkey with a mixture of butter, herbs, and spices. This will help to flavor the turkey and create a golden brown crust.
* Roast the turkey at a low temperature (325 degrees Fahrenheit) for a long period of time (about 3 hours). This will allow the turkey to cook evenly and slowly, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy slice.

By following these steps, you can roast a delicious and moist turkey that will impress your guests.