Dry-Rubbed Roast Turkey

Ingredients for Dry-Rubbed Roast Turkey

• 120ml Diamond Crystal or 40g plus 1 1/2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

• 1 (12–14-lb.) turkey, neck reserved for gravy, giblets discarded, patted dry

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

• 60ml sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 3 sprigs rosemary

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 (2x1") strips orange zest

How to make Dry-Rubbed Roast Turkey

Place salt and brown sugar in a medium bowl and work together with your fingers until incorporated. Place turkey on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. (If you don’t have this setup, place your turkey on a V-shape rack set inside a large roasting pan.) Sprinkle dry brine all over outside and inside of turkey, patting to adhere and nudging some into crevices. You won’t need all of the dry brine, but it’s good to have extra since some of it will end up on the baking sheet as you season the turkey. Chill bird, uncovered, at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.

Remove turkey from wire rack and rinse baking sheet and rack if needed (turkey will most likely release some liquid onto pan). Line baking sheet with 3 layers of foil and set rack back inside. Place turkey, breast side up, on rack and tuck wings underneath. Let turkey sit at room temperature 2–3 hours.

Place an oven rack in middle of oven; preheat to 232°C. Using your fingers, loosen skin on breast. Work 60ml butter under skin, spreading evenly over both breasts. Smear outside of turkey with another 60ml butter.

Tie legs together with kitchen twine and pour 240ml water into baking sheet. Roast turkey, rotating pan halfway through, until skin is mostly golden brown all over, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, garlic, orange zest, and remaining 60ml butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbling and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to lowest setting and keep glaze warm.

Reduce oven temperature to 149°C and continue to roast turkey, brushing with glaze every 30 minutes and adding more water by 1/2-cupfuls as needed to maintain some liquid in baking sheet, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breast near the neck registers 66°C (don’t worry; the temperature will continue to climb while the bird rests), 65–85 minutes longer. Skin should be deep golden brown, shiny, and crisp. Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour before carving.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.