BUTTERFLIED JUNIPER-BRINED ROASTED TURKEY WITH COMPOUND BUTTER

Butterflied Juniper-Brined Roasted Turkey with Compound Butter image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 12h20m

Yield 8-10

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

2 cups kosher salt
1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons juniper berries
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
5 bay leaves
Zest of 1 lemon
One 14- to 16-pound turkey (not kosher or self-basting), butterflied
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Steps:

Combine the salt, brown sugar, juniper, peppercorns, bay leaves and lemon zest with 1 quart (4 cups) water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. Pour the brine into a plastic container or pot large enough to hold the turkey, add 5 quarts (20 cups) ice water and stir to combine. Submerge the turkey, adding more ice water if needed. Weight the turkey down with a plate to keep it submerged and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.
Drain, rinse and pat the turkey dry. Transfer to a large paper-towel-lined cutting board and let sit at room temperature until it reaches room temperature, about 1 hour.
Mix the butter, parsley, sage, thyme, pepper, paprika and cloves in a medium bowl until well combined.
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Pat the turkey skin dry again and rub the compound butter evenly over the surface, also pushing some underneath the skin on the breasts. Lay the turkey in a large roasting pan as flat as possible. If the pan is a bit small, tuck the wings behind the back with the drumsticks resting on the ledge of the pan and place a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil at the bottom of the oven to catch drippings.
Roast, basting the turkey with the pan drippings every 30 minutes or so, until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165 degrees F, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before serving.