Spice-Brined Turkey With Cider Pan Gravy (Cooking Light)

This is a very flavorful and moist turkey. This turkey brines overnight and I showed that time in the prep time. I used 1 cup of the brine instead of broth in the roasting pan.

• Ready In: 24 hrs
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 5  quarts water
• 3⁄4 cup kosher salt, plus
• 2  tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 2  tablespoons whole cloves, coarsely crushed
• 2  tablespoons cardamom pods, coarsely crushed
• 2  tablespoons whole allspice, coarsely crushed
• 2  tablespoons black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
• 12  lbs turkey
• 14  ounces  low-sodium low-fat chicken broth
• 1 1⁄2 cups apple cider
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

1. Combine the first 7 ingredients in a large stockpot/roasting pan and heat over medium-heat until salt is dissolved. Cool completely.
2. Remove giblets from the turkey and place turkey into stockpot. Turn to coat, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning occasionally.
3. Preheat oven to 450°F Rinse turkey and pat dry. Pour 1 cup of broth into roasting pan, place turkey breast up and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Reduce oven to 350°F and continue to cook for 1 1/2 hours until thermometer placed in the meaty part of the thigh registers 165°F.
5. Let stand 30 minutes. Remove skin.
6. Place a ziplock bag inside a 2 cup measure. Pour drippings into the bag. Let stand for 10 minutes so the fat will rise to the top.
7. Seal bag and snip off a corner of the bag. Drain the drippings into a measuring cup, stopping before reaching the fat layer. Reserve 1 tbsp of the fat.
8. Combine the drippings, remaining broth, and cider in a small bowl. Place roasting pan on stove top over medium heat, scraping to loosen the browned bits. Add flour and reserved fat to pan, cook 1 minute stirring frequently. Slowly add broth mixture, stirring with a whisk. Cook until thickened, about 4 minutes.
9. Stir in black pepper.