Bridget's Brined Turkey

Total Time: 11 hrs Preparation Time: 6 hrs Cook Time: 5 hrs

Ingredients

• 1 (14 -16 lb) whole turkey (not self basting or kosher as these are salty already)
• 2 gallons water (1-1/2 gallons water and 4 lbs. of ice)
• 2 cups kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon ground sage
• 2 tablespoons butter

Recipe

• 1 combine water and seasonings in a clean 5 gallon bucket.
• 2 place turkey in bucket breast side down (if turkey is not totally covered add more water, if it floats weigh it down).
• 3 place in a cool place for a minimum of 6 hour but no longer than 24.
• 4 remove from the brine and pat dry.
• 5 spread butter all over the bird.
• 6 place on a rack in a roasting pan.
• 7 roast 350°f for 5 hours or so.
• 8 during the last half hour crank the heat to 450°f.
• 9 the turkey is done when the thigh meat reads 180°f on a probe thermometer.
• 10 remove from the oven and cover with foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.