HOW TO COOK THE BEST THANKSGIVING TURKEY

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by Kevin Cossairt

How to Cook the Best Thanksgiving Turkey: My Tried-and-True Recipe

I’ve been using this recipe for most of my 25-year career as a chef, and it’s the secret to the moist and flavorful turkey that my family and friends rave about every Thanksgiving. Without fail, I’m asked, “How do you keep your turkey from drying out?” The answer lies in this simple but effective brine. Follow this recipe, and you’ll never look back!

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HOW TO COOK THE BEST THANKSGIVING TURKEY

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This is the ultimate recipe for a perfectly juicy Thanksgiving turkey! With over 25 years of experience as a chef, I’ve perfected this brine recipe to keep your turkey moist and flavorful every time. Watch this simple video on how to make the perfect turkey every time.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Brine Recipe:

  • 2 gallons water
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 10 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons peppercorns

Other Ingredients:

  • Blackening seasoning As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site. (as needed)
  • 1 poultry pack (fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • Mirepoix (2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and 1 large onion, roughly chopped)
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled

Instructions

Step 1: Brine the Turkey

  1. In a large stockpot or food-safe container, combine the water, kosher salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic cloves, and peppercorns.
  2. Submerge the turkey completely in the brine. If necessary, place a plate on top to keep it fully immersed.
  3. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours to allow the turkey to absorb flavor and moisture.

Step 2: Prep the Turkey for Cooking

  1. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Generously season the turkey inside and out with blackening seasoning As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site..
  3. Stuff the turkey cavity with the poultry pack herbs (sage, thyme, and rosemary), along with mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions) and additional garlic cloves for extra aroma.

Step 3: Cooking the Turkey

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Place the turkey on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan.
  3. Pour 2 cups of chicken stock into the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey moist and help create flavorful drippings for gravy.
  4. Cover the turkey loosely with foil and roast according to the following guideline:
    • 15 minutes per pound (For example, a 15-lb turkey will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes).
  5. Remove the foil during the last 45 minutes of roasting to allow the skin to crisp and develop a deep golden color.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

  1. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness—the thickest part of the breast should read 165°F (74°C), and the thighs should reach 175°F (80°C).
  2. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest at least 30 minutes before carving. This helps retain juices for a moist and tender turkey.
  3. Slice and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides!

Notes

Bonus Tip:

Use the turkey drippings in the roasting pan to make an incredible homemade gravy. Simply strain the liquid, reduce it in a saucepan, and thicken with a butter-flour roux.

Enjoy the best Thanksgiving turkey you’ve ever made! 🦃🍽️

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Directions

  1. Gather your ingredients.
    Start by prepping everything you’ll need to make the brine. Ensure you have a food-grade container large enough to hold both the brine and your turkey.
  2. Prepare the brine.
    In your container, mix the water, kosher salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and peppercorns until the salt dissolves completely.
  3. Submerge the turkey.
    Carefully place your turkey into the brine, ensuring it’s fully submerged. If needed, weigh it down with a plate or heavy object to keep it covered.
  4. Refrigerate and soak.
    Cover the container and store it in the refrigerator for two days. During this time, the brine will infuse the turkey with moisture and flavor, setting the stage for a perfectly cooked bird.

Tips for Success

  • Use the right container. Always brine in a food-grade, nonreactive container like a stainless steel or enameled stockpot, a brining bag, or a food-grade plastic bucket. Never use household trash bags, plastic trash cans, or metal buckets that aren’t food-safe.
  • Kosher salt is key. Stick to kosher salt for this recipe. Substituting with table salt will make the brine overly salty and affect the final flavor.
  • Plan ahead. Brining requires a two-day soak, so be sure to start early to give your turkey the time it needs to soak up all that flavor!

Cooking the Turkey

After brining, remove the turkey and pat it dry. From here, you can smoke, roast, or bake your turkey as desired. For a crispier skin, let it air dry in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking.

This brine guarantees a turkey that’s juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor, perfect for creating those memorable holiday moments. Let me know how it turns out in the comments below!

A Thanksgiving Feast of Gratitude

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

Thanksgiving is more than just a day for feasting—it’s a time to pause and reflect on the many blessings God has given us. As we prepare a meal to share with loved ones, we are reminded of God’s abundant provision. Just as a well-prepared turkey takes time, patience, and care, so does cultivating a heart of gratitude.

In the same way that brining a turkey infuses it with flavor and tenderness, allowing God’s presence to soak into our lives makes us more patient, kind, and full of joy. When we season our hearts with thankfulness—much like seasoning a turkey with herbs and spices—our lives become a reflection of His goodness to those around us.

As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank God—not just for the meal before you, but for His endless grace, love, and faithfulness. Let gratitude be the main dish on your table, and may your heart be filled with the joy of knowing that God’s love endures forever.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant provision and love. Help us to cultivate grateful hearts, not just today, but every day. May our lives reflect Your goodness, and may we share Your blessings with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂

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