This dry brined turkey is coated in a blend of salt, herbs and spices, then roasted to golden brown perfection. A super easy method to put a beautiful and delicious holiday turkey on the table with minimal effort!
The holidays are not complete without a turkey, and this dry brined turkey is simple to put together, but full of flavor. Serve your turkey with cranberry orange sauce and cornbread dressing for a memorable meal.
I always recommend brining a turkey. A good brine adds tons of flavors, and is the best way to keep a turkey from getting too dry. That being said, sometimes a wet brine can be a pain. You need to clear a huge space in your fridge and find a container big enough to hold the turkey and brine. This dry brined turkey has the same great flavors, with a lot less hassle. Simply rub the brine on your turkey, let it sit for a few days, and you’ll be ready to go.
What is a dry brine?
A dry brine is a blend of salt and seasonings that is rubbed onto the skin and meat of a thawed turkey. A dry brine always contains salt, and other common ingredients include sugar, garlic, dried herbs and paprika.
How to make a dry brined turkey
The first step is to prepare your dry brine, which is made with kosher salt, brown sugar, dried thyme, dried sage, black pepper and garlic powder. Coat your turkey with the dry brine mixture. Be sure to get some of the dry brine underneath the skin of the turkey, especially the turkey breast. Let the turkey sit covered in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Uncover the turkey, and let it sit for an additional 12-24 hours in the fridge so that the skin can dry out and get crispy in the oven. Coat the turkey in seasoned butter, then roast it until golden brown and cooked through.
Do you wash off a dry brine?
You do not need to wash off the dry brine. If you rinse the turkey, you’ll actually hinder the cooking process as adding more water to the mix will re-hydrate the turkey skin, and it won’t get browned and crispy in the oven.
Tips for the perfect turkey
- The dry brine needs at least 2 1/2 days to do its job, so plan accordingly with your timing of purchasing a turkey.
- Don’t add any more salt to the turkey after you brine it so that the end result is not overly salty.
- This recipe will not work on a kosher or pre-brined turkey. Read the label to make sure the turkey you purchase does not contain any added salt.
- If you’re using a frozen turkey, make sure it’s completely thawed before you start the brining process. The dry brine will not penetrate a turkey that’s still frozen.
- Be sure to use kosher salt; table salt does not measure the same and will make your turkey too salty.
Dry brined turkey flavor variations
This is a basic recipe for a dry brine, but you can absolutely add other flavors to the mix to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Sweetener: Instead of brown sugar, try granulated sugar, granulated honey, maple sugar, coconut sugar or muscovado sugar.
- Spices: Feel free to stir in additional spices such as paprika, chili powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, oregano or poultry seasoning.
- Herbs: Other great herb options include dried basil, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, dried chives or marjoram.
How long do you cook a dry brined turkey?
Generally speaking, a turkey needs to cook at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes per pound of bird. This assumes that you’re starting with a fresh or fully thawed turkey. It’s important to check the temperature of your turkey to ensure that it’s properly cooked through.
How do you know when a turkey is done?
A turkey is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey registers at least 165 degrees F. The thickest part of the turkey is typically in the bottom of the thigh, or at the thickest part of the breast. I usually check the temperature in both spots to be sure it’s correct. Make sure to avoid touching bone as this will give you an inaccurate temperature.
More holiday recipes you’ll enjoy
Dry Brined Turkey Video
Dry Brined Turkey
Ingredients
For the dry brine
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the turkey
- 12 lb turkey giblets and neck removed
- 1 lemon quartered
- 1 onion quartered
- 6 cloves garlic smashed
- 8 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- fresh herbs and fruit for garnish optional
Instructions
For the dry brine
- Place the dry brine ingredients by a bowl, stir to combine.
For the turkey
- Pat the turkey dry. Rub the dry brine all over the outside of the turkey. Loosen the skin on the turkey breast and place some of the dry brine under the skin.
- Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and cover loosely. Let the turkey sit in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
- Uncover the turkey. Let it sit uncovered in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Tuck the wings of the turkey under the body.
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the lemon, onion and garlic.
- Place the butter and pepper in a bowl and stir until well combined.
- Spread the butter all over the turkey, both on top of and underneath the skin.
- Tie the turkey drumsticks together with kitchen twine.
- Cook for 30-40 minutes or until turkey has started to turn golden brown.
- Reduce the heat to 350 degrees
- Bake for another 2 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F. I also check the thickest part of the breast to make sure that it's the correct temperature. If your turkey is getting too dark, you can cover the top with foil.
- Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and garnish with herbs and fruit if desired. Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes, then slice and serve.
Christina says
How long will a 16 lb Turkey take to cook since we are doing it at 450 first? Also should we tent foil it after the 450?
Sara says
It should take 3.5-4 hours. I only tent it if it’s looking overly brown, and it won’t be fully browned until later on in the cooking process.
Teresa says
Could I stuff the turkey with stuffing rather than the lemon, garlic and onion?
Sara says
You can but that will change the cook time so be sure to use a thermometer!
Teri says
Fantastic! Best turkey ever. So moist and delicious!
Christina says
I only have one day before thanksgiving to prep the turkey. Can this brine still work with such a small amount of time?
Sara says
You would probably be better off with a wet brine like this: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/turkey-brine-recipe/
Dayle says
I’ve had wet brined turkeys. To me, the meat has a bit of a spongy texture. Last year I tried dry brining and was very pleased. Finding this recipe, I love the spice mixture you use for your dry brining, so I’m anxious to try it.
You don’t mention in your recipe if I should go from the fridge to the oven, or should I remove the turkey and let it lose some of it’s chill first. Does it make a difference?
Sara says
It’s fine to let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes, it can sometimes cook a little quicker this way!
Wendy says
Do you know if this works well with cooking it in a plastic turkey bag? I have been using those bags forever and they always produce the most juicy turkeys… but I love the idea of this dry brine…
Sara says
I think it should work fine with a turkey bag!
Teena says
Loved this recipe! Turkey with so much flavor!
Sean P Thompson says
From this point forward, THIS is how we do turkey!!!
5-star lunch!!!
Joanne says
Double the ingredients for a 21 pound turkey?
Sara says
I would do 1 1/2 times the recipe! You can adjust the number of servings and the ingredient amounts will automatically recalculate.
Julie says
Does the turkey need to be rinsed off after the brining process?
Sara says
It does not need to be rinsed!
Ashley F. says
The perfect way to cook turkey! Comes out so flavorful and tender! Loved it!
Jennifer says
Turkey is too good to save it just for the holidays! I’m going to make this for our Sunday dinner so I’ll have leftovers during the week. Looks amazing!
Stephanie says
This was incredible and was so much better than the normal way I usually cook my turkey. Definitely going to be using this recipe from now on.
Kimberly says
WOW, that is one seriously jaw-dropping turkey! Absolute perfection!
Toni Dash says
This is really perfect for Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Kevin says
I cannot wait till Thanksgiving with this recipe!
Jen says
I’ve got to try this! We’ve always done a water brine but this looks so much easier. My hubby loves turkey so I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait until the holidays. I think I’ll make it this weekend.
Beth says
Yum! This is the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving! I can’t wait to make this!
Cathy says
The flavor in this sounds amazing! I’ll definitely be giving it a try!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This dry brined turkey is looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Rahul says
Now this sounds like such a delicious way to cook a turkey. Looks incredible too and seems easy enough to make. Thanks for sharing Sara