Lauren's Apple Cider Roast Turkey

4.9
(36)

Lauren's apple cider roast turkey is the most delicious roast turkey recipe ever! The brine is well worth the extra time the night before; the result is a juicy, perfectly seasoned turkey. A brined turkey cooks 20-30 minutes faster; keep that in mind when consulting roasting charts. Enjoy!

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
4 hrs
Additional Time:
8 hrs 30 mins
Total Time:
12 hrs 50 mins
Servings:
15
Yield:
1 whole turkey
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 15 servings

  • 1 (16 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed

  • 1 ½ gallons water

  • 1 gallon apple cider

  • 1 ½ cups kosher salt

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

  • ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning

Directions

  1. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.

  2. Combine water, apple cider, kosher salt, and sugar in a large pot or 5-gallon food-grade bucket, stirring until salt and sugar dissolved. Submerge turkey in brine, cover container, and refrigerator, 8 hours or overnight.

  3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

  4. Remove turkey from brine; discard brine. Place turkey breast-side up into a roasting pan; pat turkey and cavity dry with paper towels. Loosen turkey skin over breast and thighs with your fingers.

  5. Whisk olive oil, thyme, and poultry seasoning together in a small bowl; rub over turkey and underneath loosened skin. Cover turkey loosely with aluminum foil.

  6. Cook in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near but not touching bone, reads 165 to 175 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C), 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Remove foil tent about 45 minutes before end of cook time to let skin brown. Let turkey rest 30 to 45 minutes before carving.

    High angle view of thanksgiving turkey with lemons in plate on table
    Con Poulos/Allrecipes Magazine

Editor's Notes:

Always brine foods in a food-grade, nonreactive container such as a stainless steel or enameled stockpot, a brining bag, or a food-grade plastic bucket. Never use ordinary trash bags, plastic trash cans, or metal buckets or containers not meant for food use.

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the brine ingredients. The actual amount of the brine consumed will vary.

83 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

952 Calories
38g Fat
49g Carbs
98g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 15
Calories 952
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 38g 48%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 286mg 95%
Sodium 9387mg 408%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 98g 196%
Calcium 103mg 8%
Iron 6mg 35%
Potassium 981mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.