Lauren’s Apple Cider Roast Turkey

Ingredients

• 1 (16 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 1 1/2 gallons water
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Directions

Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.

Mix water, apple cider, kosher salt, and sugar in a large pot or 5-gallon food-grade bucket, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Submerge the turkey in the brine, cover the container, and place in refrigerator, 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Remove turkey from brine and discard used brine. Place turkey with breast side up into a roasting pan; pat turkey and cavity dry with paper towels. Loosen turkey skin over the breast and thighs with your fingers.

Mix olive oil, thyme, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Rub the seasoned oil over the turkey and underneath the loosened skin. Cover turkey loosely with aluminum foil.

Roast in the preheated oven until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching bone, reads 165 to 175 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C), 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Remove foil tent about 45 minutes before end of roasting time to let the skin brown. Let turkey rest 30 to 45 minutes before carving.