Why does Alton Brown not recommend basting the turkey?

Do Not Baste. Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.

How do you thaw and brine a turkey Alton Brown?

Simply fill a large cooler with a brine made with ice water (more on that below), submerge the critter, cover, and stow away in a cool place, like a closet or garage. By the time the bird is finished with its two-day brine, it’s thawed and ready to roast.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.

How long do you cook a 12 lb turkey?

Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

Where do I put the thermometer in the turkey?

The tip of the thermometer should be placed into the thick part of thigh without touching the bone. Remove the turkey when it reaches 180°F. The breast must reach 170°F and if the turkey is stuffed, check the temperature of the center of the stuffing to make sure it’s cooked to 165°F.

Should you cook a turkey upside down?

Cook the turkey breast side down.

While the turkey roasts, the juices fall down towards the breast, resulting in the most succulent meat. The breast is also more protected from the heat, which helps keep it from getting too dried out. Use a meat thermometer to take out any guess work of when the turkey is done.

Do you rinse a brined turkey before cooking?

Leaving the turkey uncovered for the last 4 to 6 hours will help dry—and thus crisp up—the skin. Resist any temptation to rinse the turkey after brining. There will be no trace of salt on the surface and rinsing would only make the skin less prone to browning.

How often should you baste your turkey?

Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

Because roasting racks have shallower sides than roasters, more hot air can circulate around the turkey and make for extra-crispy skin. Covering the bird with foil mimics what a roaster lid would do — it traps steam and moistness so the turkey doesn’t dry out — all the while allowing the skin to crisp up.

Can I wet brine a frozen turkey?

While brining recipes usually assume you’re using fresh or thawed meat, did you know that you can actually wet-brine meat directly from the freezer? Since one common method of thawing meat quickly is to place it in cool water, you can use that same principle but just swap out plain water for brine.

Does turkey need to be thawed before brining?

It’s best to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Here’s a guide for how long you’ll need for thawing time. Turkeys should always be completely thawed before brining or cooking.

How long do you wet brine a turkey?

Pop the turkey into the fridge and let it brine for at least 8 hours (and up to 18 hours). Just don’t leave the turkey in the brine for longer than recommended—over-brining can render the bird too salty and turn the texture spongy.

Do you put butter on turkey before cooking?

Don’t butter your bird

Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. Brine the turkey. Rub soft butter under the skin. Truss loosely, or not at all. Roast the turkey upside down at first. Don’t overcook it. Let the turkey rest before carving.

How long do I cook a turkey at 325 degrees?

Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. 8-12 lb.