She Strengthens

Turkey Perfection: A Simple yet Savory Recipe for Your Thanksgiving Feast

When it comes to preparing a delicious and juicy turkey for your Thanksgiving gathering, it’s all about the details. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be able to impress your guests with a flavorful and tender turkey breast that’s sure to be the star of the show.

The Perfect Brine

To begin, you’ll need to create a mouthwatering brine that will infuse your turkey breast with a blend of citrus, herbs, and spices. Start by peeling the zest from two medium oranges and adding it to a medium saucepan along with 1 cup of cold water, salt, honey, thyme, bay leaves, shallots, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the salt and honey have dissolved.

Cooling and Chilling

Once the brine has cooled, add in the remaining 3 cups of water and the reserved orange juice. Let it cool for 45 minutes, then stir in 2 cups of ice and water. This will help to bring the brine to a refreshing temperature, perfect for marinating your turkey breast.

Brining the Turkey

Place a 2- to 2-1/2-gallon resealable bag in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and pour in the cooled brine. Add the turkey breast, skin-side down, and seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 16 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the turkey to absorb the delicious brine.

Roasting to Perfection

When you’re ready to roast the turkey, preheat your oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, thyme, and pepper. Remove the turkey from the brine, pat it dry with paper towels, and discard the brine. Place the turkey skin-side up in a roasting pan fitted with a rack and rub the thyme mixture all over the top and sides of the turkey.

The Final Touches

Roast the turkey for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue to roast for an additional 75 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breast registers 160°F and the juices run clear. Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving.

With this simple yet savory recipe, you’ll be able to create a mouthwatering turkey breast that’s sure to impress your guests and become the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast.