2cupscold water plus enough to fill your brine pot or bin to cover the turkey
Roasted Turkey
15poundswhole turkey, raw and thawed with giblets removed
½cup1 stick salted butter
1teaspoonorange zest
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpepper
1cupturkey broth
Cranberry Glaze
14ounce cancranberry sauce
1cuporange juice
½cupdark brown sugar
Gravy
½cupturkey drippings
1cupturkey broth
½cupcranberry sauce
½cupall-purpose flour
Instructions
Brine
In a large pot or plastic brining bin, combine salt, cranberry juice, orange juice, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, and sliced orange.
Add enough cold water to cover and stir until the salt dissolves.
Submerge the turkey breast side up in the brine, ensuring it’s fully covered. Refrigerate 8 to 24 hours so the flavors can infuse the meat and keep it tender and juicy.
Remove the bird from the brine and rinse well to remove extra salt. Pat dry with paper towels. Save the herbs and fruit slices to place inside the cavity before roasting.
Roasted Turkey
Preheat oven to 375°F and move oven rack to the lowest level.
In a small bowl, combine softened butter, orange zest, salt, and pepper.
Gently loosen the skin over the breast meat and spread half the butter underneath, then rub the rest all over the top of the bird.
Place the poultry breast side up in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Add one cup of broth and the reserved herbs and fruit.
Tuck wings under the bird to prevent burning and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Roast uncovered for about 10 to 12 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
Let the meat rest for 15 minutes before carving with a sharp knife. This keeps the breast meat juicy and tender.
Cranberry Glaze
In a 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar.
Simmer until thickened, stirring often.
Brush half of the glaze over the turkey during the last 20 minutes of roasting, then brush the remaining glaze just before removing from the oven.
Gravy
In a small saucepan, whisk together drippings, broth, cranberry sauce, flour, orange juice, and a tablespoon of butter.
Simmer until thickened, whisking occasionally.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the meat separate from the gravy for best results.Freeze: Meat can be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months. Slice or shred the meat, place in freezer safe containers or bags. The gravy can also be frozen separately for up to 3 months.Reheat: Reheat slices in a covered dish with a splash of broth at 325°F until warmed through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but add a bit of gravy or broth to keep it moist. Reheat gravy on the stovetop over low heat, whisking occasionally, until heated through.