Buttermilk-Brined Turkey

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 190 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

This moist turkey is marinated in a flavorful buttermilk brine seasoned with parsley, coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds, garlic, and bay leaves.

Ingredients

2 cups water
1/3 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large bay leaves
8 cups buttermilk
1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

1 Combine water, salt, parsley, coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds, garlic powder, and bay leaves in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Boil until salt has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Stir in buttermilk.
2 Rinse turkey in cold water. Place in a brining bag and pour buttermilk brine over top. Refrigerate for 24 hours, turning occasionally.
3 Discard the brine and rinse turkey thoroughly in cold water. Pat turkey dry with paper towels and place breast-side up in a roasting pan. Rub butter over the skin and let sit for 1 hour.
4 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5 Cook turkey in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 3 hours.