Easy, Foolproof Turkey Dry Brining & Roasting Method

Turkey dry brining is a quick and easy way to infuse your turkey with unique flavors. Dry brining turkey is an easy, foolproof way to make turkey extra juicy & flavorful. An entire turkey will never be dry again! Dry brining is a simple process of rubbing salt into the turkey’s skin, which helps improve moisture retention and adds delicious flavor.

If you’re like most people, the holiday season means one thing: turkey. It’s a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas and a great dish to serve any other time if you’re craving our Turkey in Creole Sauce or Dinde a l’Haitienne. But how do you get a juicy, flavorful turkey every time?

What exactly is dry brining?

Dry brining is a process in which you coat your turkey in salt and let it sit overnight. This allows the salt to permeate the meat, which will give it an incredible flavor and make it easier to cook.

Are you wondering how to create the most flavorful and moist turkey this Thanksgiving? Dry brine is the answer. Try Noubess seasonings as a dry rub to add flavor to your turkey.

Let us go over a few essential steps before using Noubess seasonings and spices to dry brine your turkey.

How to pick the right turkey

Not all turkeys are the same! Now that we have concluded that not all turkeys are the same, it is time to share some advice. We cannot tell you what turkey brand to buy, but we can tell you that fresh, free-range,” “free-roaming,” or “cage-free” have better taste. We will ask you to buy whatever your budget allows. But here are a few points to pay attention to.

• If you can buy all-natural turkey; meaning that the packaging must list those three words.
• Check the ingredients list to find our how the bird was processed.
• Look for a turkey with a well-rounded breast
• Check the weight and size of the bird. (the turkey must be able to fit your roaster.)
• Buy the turkey early so you can have plenty of time for defrosting and brining.

Turkey Dry brining seasonings options

Dry brining is easy with our seasonings. You can choose to use one single bag of seasoning or select multiple and create a unique blend. Here are the seasonings blends you can choose from to season your turkey.

• Cajun Seasoning, Salt-Free
• Adobo Seasoning, Salt-Free
• Poultry Seasoning, Salt-Free
• Garlic and Herbs Seasoning
• Jerk Seasoning, Salt-Free

You can use any of the seasonings above by themselves or create a blend. Here are a few ideas for unique ideas for blends for ultimate flavor.

• Cajun Seasoning, Salt-Free with Poultry Seasoning, Salt-Free
• Adobo Seasoning, Salt-Free with Berbere Seasoning (this seasoning is hot and spicy)
• Jerk Seasoning, Satl-Free with Poultry Seasoning, Salt-Free
• Poultry Seasoning, Salt-Free with Garlic and Herbs Seasoning

Additional ingredients necessary

• Extra Virgin oil to mix the seasoning
• Lemon wedges: to place inside the cavity of the turkey
• Fresh Parsley and Fresh Thyme, optional – the breasts of turkey are large. Fresh parsley and fresh thyme sprigs will add more flavor.
• 1 onion quartered to stuff inside the cavity.
• Salt, add enough or none if you are on a low-sodium diet. But we will suggest creating a sauce such as a Creole Sauce with the liquid from the roasting pan.

How to prepare the turkey for roasting

Assuming you start with a fresh or thoroughly thawed turkey, generally, a turkey needs to cook for 15 minutes per pound. After creating the seasoning blend, cleaning the turkey, and thoroughly drying it, it is ready for brining.

The next step is to generously season the turkey with the seasoning blend, ensuring it gets underneath the wings and legs and inside the cavity. Season with less salt if you watch your sodium intake, but be sure to season more than you think you need.

Section: 5. Place the seasoned bird on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and a wire rack (or just an inverted large rimmed baking sheet). Lay about four sheets of paper towels on top of the turkey, covering it completely and folding back under any overhang on the sides of the pan to keep them clean. Next, lay another layer of aluminum foil on top (covering all exposed edges of paper

How to Roast a Turkey

Roasting Time:

Approximate times:

• 10 pound: 2 hrs 15 min
• 12 pound: 2 hrs 35-45 minutes
• 14 pound: 3 hrs
• 16 pound: 3 hrs 15-20 min
• 18 pound: 3 hrs 45-55 min
• 20 pound: 4 hrs 15-20 min

Here’s a recipe idea for your next Turkey Dry Brining & Roasting Method

Ingredients

• 10-12 pounds whole turkey
• 2 lemons quartered
• 1 onion quartered
• 2 tablespoons Adobo Seasoning, Salt-Free
• 2 tablespoons Steak Seasoning, Salt-Free
• 2 tablespoons Beau Monde Seasoning
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 4 tablespoons of lemon juice

• Mix together the melter butter or oil, seasoning blend of choice, and salt.
• Slather the seasoning mixture all over the turkey and inside out. Place the fresh herbs and lemon in the cavity.
• Either place the rurkey in the refrigerator overnight (or 24 – 72) so the flavors of the seasoning blend could have time to penetrate the flesh of the turkey.
• When ready to roast, Place the turkey in a roasting pan and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes covered with an aluminum foil tent. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue roasting, basting the turkey every 30 – 45 minutes with the juice from the pan, for about 3 hours or more depending on the size of the turkey.
• Remove the foil tent and continue to cook and basting until the turkey is fully cooked for about 30 – 45 minutes.
• The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey thigh registers 165 degrees F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, pierce the breast meat with a sharp knife. The turkey juices should run clear, and not pink.
• If the turkey seems like it’s getting too brown during the cooking process, cover it with foil.
• Remove the turkey from the oven let the turkey rest for 25 minutes. Slice, then serve with your favorite side dishes.

Brining allows the turkey to retain moisture more effectively during cooking and helps deliver more flavorful meat. Overall, I found it was less hassle than traditional methods for getting an evenly cooked bird that’s also juicy and tender on the inside.

Make the best dinner for your family and friends with a perfectly roasted turkey.