This Simple Turkey Brine recipe and Oven Roast Turkey recipe is just what you need to make a perfect turkey for Thanksgiving, the holidays, or anytime!
Place 1 cup of table salt in the bottom of a large stockpot or clean plastic bucket. Add the water and lemon juice and stir until the salt dissolves.
Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Discard or reserve to use later.
Rinse the turkey under cold running water. Place the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 10-14 hours.
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
One hour before you’re ready to roast the turkey, adjust the oven rack to the lowest position, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F for a 10-16 pound turkey, and 425 degrees F for a 16-20 pound turkey.
Set a V-roasting rack inside of a large roasting pan, and set it aside.
MAKE BUTTER MIXTURE:
In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and lemon zest and melt in the microwave on HIGH power for 20 seconds. Stir and then continue to heat at 10-second increments until completely melted and set aside.
PREP AND BRUSH TURKEY:
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse under cold water. Tuck the turkey’s wingtips behind its back, and tuck the drumstick tips into the skin of the tail area.
Brush the turkey breast, wings, and drumsticks with half of the butter mixture and sprinkle with two pinches of salt and two pinches of black pepper.
Place the turkey breast-side down onto the V-roasting rack, and then brush the back of the turkey with the remaining butter and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
ROAST TURKEY:
Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast for 45 minutes for a 10-16 pound turkey and 60 minutes for a 16-20 pound turkey.
Take the turkey out of the oven, and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Use silicone oven mitts or folded clean kitchen towels to flip the turkey breast-side-up.
Place the turkey back into the oven and continue to roast until the thickest part of the breast reaches 160-165 degrees F. This will take about 1 hour for 10-16 pound turkeys and, 1.5 hours for 16-18 pound turkeys, and 2 hours for 18-20 pound turkeys.
REST, CARVE, AND SERVE:
Take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes, and then move it to a large cutting board and carve.