Bloghungry's Turkey and Gravy

So it's time to start posting Thanksgiving recipes again and I decided to start with my turkey. I posted this same recipe last year, but it was so moist and full of flavor that I decided to make it again this year. The brine can be a little frightening your first time, but it's actually very simple and is completely worth the process.

Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey

1 (12 to 15-pound) turkey

For the brine:
2 gallons water
1 cup sugar
1 cup kosher salt
2 lemons, sliced in 1/2
4 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
Small handful cloves
Combine all brine ingredients in a container or pot large enough to hold the turkey. Make sure all the sugar and salt have been fully dissolved. Add the turkey and refrigerate about 6 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove turkey from brine and transfer to a roasting pan with a rack. Stuff turkey with the lemon halves, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks used in the brine. Cook turkey for about 3 1/2 hours, basting every 40 minutes or so. If any part of the turkey gets too brown towards the end of cooking, shield with pieces of tin foil. When the turkey is done, juices should run clear from the breast and the legs should pull away from the bird easily. Remove from the heat and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

Easy Turkey Gravy

1 Tbsp. turkey drippings
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups turkey or chicken broth (boxed)
salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat the tablespoon of turkey fat in a saucepan. Using a wooden spoon, mix in flour, which will gather into a soft ball with the fat. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture is fluffy and looks moist, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup broth/purée until mixture is smooth. Add remaining purée. Bring gravy to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Season gravy with salt and pepper to taste. Pour gravy into a gravy boat.

Comments

[BigT]

Thanks for created the "about" section! It's great to see a little more about you!!
bigTseattle

[Jenny]

Thanks for the gravy tips! I think I'm going to try and make my own this year instead of the canned stuff.

[Ceasar]

Looking good.

[Jeff]

Brines are the shit

[Mikhael]

Hi Bloghungry, this is a reader from Reykjavik, Iceland. For the first time this Christmas I was in charge of all the cooking, and I used your recipes for the turkey dinner. It was a total hit! Everybody loved it. So easy to make and so delicious. I decided to cover the turkey with bacon strips though,I think the turkeys we get here are scrawnier than in the States.
Thanks so much Bloghungry! Love your blog!