Ingredients

• 1 (14 to 16-pound) fresh turkey
• Brine, recipe follows
• 1 tablespoon dry rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 6 quarts water
• 8 cups ice cubes
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 7 fresh sage leaves
• 1 tablespoons black peppercorns

Instructions

1. Watch how to make this recipe.
2. Remove the legs and wings from the turkey, or have your butcher do it. Reserve for stock.
3. Put turkey breast into a large pot or doubled up clean plastic bag. When brine mixture is completely cooled, pour over turkey and place in refrigerator for 12 hours.
4. Rinse under clear cool water for 5 minutes, drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
5. In a small bowl, combine dried spices and lemon zest. Rub turkey with canola oil, lightly sprinkle rub on turkey, any extra rub can be placeed in cavity. Cover loosely, refrigerate for 4 hours.
6. Remove from refrigerator and let rest on counter for 15 minutes
7. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F while turkey is resting.
8. In a large, deep baking pan, fitted with a rack, place turkey breast side down and roast for 35 minutes. Carefully turn turkey over and reduce heat to 375 degrees F. Continue to roast turkey for 1 hour 45 minutes or until temperature at the deepest part of the breast reads 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Make sure to check bird every 15 minutes after first hour has passed.
9. Take out of oven, loosely tent with foil, let rest in pan for 10 minutes. Carve and serve immediately.
10. In a large stock pot, combine 3 quarts water, 1 cup kosher salt, brown sugar, molasses, sage leaves and peppercorns. Heat until salt dissolves, remove from heat. Add in 3 quarts cool water and 8 cups ice.
11. Yield: brine for 1 turkey breast (10 pounds)