How to Make a Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey with a Simple Brine
Learn how to make a juicy Thanksgiving turkey with a simple brine. This easy step-by-step recipe uses salt, herbs, and butter for the most flavorful, tender holiday roast turkey ever.
Looking for Thanksgiving turkey perfection? This juicy Thanksgiving turkey with a simple brine recipe combines an easy salt-and-sugar soak with herb-infused butter, white wine, and roasted vegetables underneath.
The result? A turkey that’s moist, flavorful, and impressively aromatic—ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, and memorable Thanksgiving moments.
This recipe is part of our cozy holiday series, specifically for real families who are looking for manageable holiday recipes that will wow even picky eaters without having to spend hours in the kitchen to achieve.
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Why Start with a Brine?
Brining is the secret to a juicy, flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. By soaking the bird in a simple solution of sea salt, brown sugar and water, the meat absorbs moisture and seasoning, helping it stay tender and succulent during the long roasting process.
The added aromatics subtly infuse the turkey with depth and complexity, enhancing its natural flavor without overpowering it. Plus, brining makes holiday prep easier! Once your turkey is in the brine the night before, much of the heavy lifting is already done (giving YOU more time to actually enjoy Thanksgiving Day, too).
Whether you’re a beginner wondering how to brine a turkey, or just searching for the best brined turkey recipe to impress your guests, this method is a stress-free way to upgrade your Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients Needed for a Roasted, Brined Turkey
To make a juicy Thanksgiving turkey with a simple brine, you’ll need a few simple ingredients:
- For the brine solution: sea salt, brown sugar and cold water
- Turkey: 1 whole turkey (~18 lb), neck & giblets removed
- Roasting & Aromatics: unsalted butter, onions, carrots, celery stalks, rosemary sprigs, bay leaf, lemon, garlic
- Add-ins: dry white wine, freshly ground black pepper
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Juicy Brined Roast Turkey
You’ll love how easy this brined turkey really is!
- Brine It (12+ Hours Before)
In a large stockpot, dissolve sea salt and brown sugar into 4 quarts cold water. Submerge the turkey fully, cover and refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
Tip: Remove air pockets so the brine surrounds the bird completely.
- Rinse & Prep Turkey
Preheat oven to 325 °F. Rinse away brine off your turkey under cold water; pat dry thoroughly with paper towels and discard all brine solution.
- Butter & Season
Brush the turkey inside and out with melted butter, and season the cavity with black pepper.
- Stuff the Cavity
Inside the turkey, place the chopped onion, chopped carrots, celery stalks, rosemary, lemon and garlic. Scatter the remaining onions, carrots, celery, and rosemary in the pan and add the bay leaf.
- Roast
Pour 1 cup dry white wine over veggies. Place the turkey on a rack in roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 2 1/2 hours. Brush with remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, and roast for another 1 1/2 hours until the juices run clear and the thigh temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C) using a meat thermometer.
- Rest the Turkey
Transfer turkey to a carving platter, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 30 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring ultra-moist meat. Don’t rush the rest!
- Carve & Serve
Carve using a sharp knife or electric carver. Arrange carved pieces on a platter with roasted vegetables from pan. Spoon pan juices or homemade gravy drippings over top and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
Pro Tips for Optimal Results for the Best Thanksgiving Turkey
- Use a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest thigh area to avoid guesswork.
- Butter bastes both before and during roasting – it deepens flavor and enhances browning.
- Reserve veggies and pan drippings to make gravy—add flour, stock, and seasonings in a saucepan.
- Prepare ahead: Brine the night before and prep turkey before bed, then roast first thing Thanksgiving morning.
FAQs – Answering Your Questions about Brining a Turkey
Can I shorten the brine time?
Yes, you can brine smaller turkeys (12–14 lb) for 6–8 hours. However, longer brines enrich flavor and tenderness.
Can I use turkey thighs instead?
Absolutely! Adjust roast time to 1½–2 hours; thigh meat cooks more quickly.
How to store leftovers?
Carve as soon as turkey cools. Store in airtight containers or wrap loosely with foil for up to 4 days (breast) or 3 days (dark meat). Freeze up to 3 months.
Thanksgiving Turkey Serving Suggestions & Side Pairings
A holiday centerpiece like this delicious Thanksgiving turkey deserves festive sides. Here are a few of our favorites:
- 3 Cheese Crockpot Mac and Cheese
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Classic mashed potatoes and creamy gravy
- Green bean casserole or roasted Brussels sprouts
- Fluffy dinner rolls or cornbread
- Fresh green salad to lighten everything up
- A chilled non-alcoholic sparkling cider or apple cider mocktail to balance richness
How to Make a Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey with a Simple Brine
Learn how to make a juicy Thanksgiving turkey with a simple brine. This easy step-by-step recipe uses salt, herbs, and butter for the most flavorful, tender holiday roast turkey ever.
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (about 18 pounds), neck and giblets removed
- 1 ½ cups sea salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 quarts cold water
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted, divided
- 2 large onions, chopped, divided
- 4 carrots, coarsely chopped, divided
- 4 stalks celery, chopped, divided
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, divided
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup dry white wine
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, combine the sea salt, brown sugar, and cold water. Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Submerge the turkey in the brine solution. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it thoroughly under cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Discard the brine mixture.
- Brush the turkey inside and out with half of the melted butter. Season the cavity of the turkey with freshly ground black pepper. Stuff the cavity with 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1 sprig of rosemary, the lemon quarters, and the halved garlic head.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Scatter the remaining onion, carrots, celery, and rosemary in the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the bay leaf. Pour the white wine over the vegetables in the pan.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, uncovered, for about 3 ½ to 4 hours. About two-thirds of the way through the roasting time, carefully turn and brush with the remaining melted butter.
- The turkey is done when the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a moist and flavorful turkey.
- Carve the turkey and serve it on a platter, accompanied by the roasted vegetables from the pan.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 1800mgCarbohydrates: 8gSugar: 6gProtein: 55g
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Final Thoughts for a Thanksgiving Made Easy & Delicious
With this clear, foolproof guide on how to make a juicy Thanksgiving turkey with a simple brine, you’re set for a memorable and delicious holiday meal without stress!
This easy recipe ensures that you’ll have moist, flavorful breast and thigh meat, a stunning presentation with roasted vegetables, and a hassle-free prep with big payoff. It also provides easy room to scale up or down depending on guest count.
Pin this recipe for your holiday planning, save it for future thanksgivings, and enjoy the compliments (and seconds) when your family gathers around that beautiful turkey table. Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡
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