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Herb Dry-Brined Turkey with Apples on a platter.

Herb Dry-Brined Turkey with Apples

MAKES 1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey
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Ingredients Method

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

Method
 

  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.