Turkey for Twenty

Ingredients for Turkey for Twenty

• 110g Diamond Crystal or 7 tablespoons Morton kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

• 4 skin-on, bone-in turkey legs (thigh and drumstick attached) and 2 split skin-on, bone-in turkey breasts (about 7.3kg total

• from two 10–12-lb. turkeys)

• 4 sprigs rosemary plus 1/4 cup rosemary leaves

• 4 small or 2 large sprigs sage plus 1/4 cup sage leaves

• 4 sprigs thyme plus 1/4 cup thyme leaves

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided

• 3 heads of garlic, halved crosswise, divided

Mix salt, brown sugar, and pepper with your fingertips in a medium bowl to combine.

Place turkey legs on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Place breasts on another wire rack set inside another rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle dry brine all over outside of turkey, patting to adhere and nudging into crevices (you won’t need all of the brine, but it’s good to have extra since some of it will fall onto the baking sheet). Chill, uncovered, at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.

Transfer turkey pieces to a large platter and rinse baking sheets and racks (turkey will most likely release some liquid onto pans). Line each baking sheet with 3 layers of foil, then set wire racks back inside. Place turkey legs and breasts skin side up on separate racks. Let sit at room temperature 2–3 hours.

Place oven racks in bottom and top third of oven; preheat to 232°C. Tie rosemary, sage, and thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine at bottom of stems so that they resemble an herb mop. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 garlic halves cut side down until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add remaining butter and cook until melted. Reduce heat to low, add herb bundle stem side up, and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until butter is infused, about 15 minutes; discard garlic.

Mix rosemary, sage, and thyme leaves in a medium bowl. Loosen skin on turkey breasts and thighs. Using your palm, nudge small handfuls of herb leaves between flesh and skin. Arrange remaining 4 garlic halves around turkey pieces. Pour 240ml water into each pan. Using herb bundle, baste turkey and garlic with infused butter. Roast turkey, basting with herb bundle and rotating pans top to bottom and front to back every 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breast registers 66°C and thickest part of thigh registers 74°C, 40–50 minutes (some pieces may be done faster than others, so check more than one piece each time). Let turkey rest 30 minutes before carving. Serve with roasted garlic alongside.

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.