Herb Dry-Brined Turkey with Apples
 
MAKES 1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey
Ingredients
  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey, patted dry
  • 3 small onions, peeled and quartered
  • 3 Honeycrisp apples, quartered
  • 3 Granny Smith apples, quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, diced and divided
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • Garnish: fresh thyme, fresh sage, roasted garlic, apples, persimmons
Instructions
  1. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine salt, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, and pepper; pulse until finely chopped.
  2. Rub herb mixture all over turkey. Place turkey inside a large disposable roasting bag or stockpot. Refrigerate overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 325°.
  4. In a large roasting pan, arrange onion, apples, and garlic. Drop ¼ cup diced butter evenly on top. Remove turkey from bag or pot and discard any excess liquid. Place turkey on top of onion, apples, and garlic.
  5. In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and oil. Brush evenly onto turkey.
  6. Bake, covering with foil to prevent excess browning as necessary, until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the breast registers 165° and inserted into the thigh, without touching bone, registers 170°, 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours. Let rest 20 minutes before carving.
  7. Strain pan drippings into a small saucepan. Add wine and vinegar; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, 10 to 15 minutes. While whisking constantly, drop remaining ¼ cup diced butter, 1 cube at a time, into sauce, until butter is melted and sauce is smooth. Serve sauce with turkey. Garnish with thyme, sage, garlic, apples, and persimmons, if desired.
Recipe by Southern Lady Magazine at https://southernladymagazine.com/herb-dry-brined-turkey-with-apples/