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Pear-Thyme Brined Turkey
Be sure to choose a fresh, unbrined turkey for this recipe, as you will want to brine the turkey on your own. Reserve a couple of thyme springs to use in the gravy and enjoy this pear infused turkey at your Thanksgiving table.
👥 8 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 45 min⏳ Prep: 45 min👤 Marian Cooper Cairns and Mary Allen Perry📖 countryliving
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- saucepan
- oven
- pan
- bowl
- strainer
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Combine pear nectar, half of thyme sprigs, and next 6 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, ⏱️ 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.
2
Remove giblets and neck from turkey and discard. Place a turkey-size oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey, breast side down, inside inner bag. Add pear mixture and ice. Secure and close bags. Chill 18 to ⏱️ 24 hours, turning occasionally.
3
Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from bags, discarding brine, and drain well; pat dry with paper towels. Arrange onions and remaining half of thyme sprigs in a large roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on a lightly greased roasting rack in pan. Place pears inside cavity. Tie ends of legs together with kitchen string; tuck wingtips under. Brush entire turkey with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour broth into roasting pan.
pears, quartered2Kitchen string
4
Roast at 325°F for 3 to ⏱️ 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°F, basting every ⏱️ 30 minutes with pan juices. Shield with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning in spots, if necessary. Remove from oven, and let stand ⏱️ 30 minutes.
5
Transfer turkey to a serving platter. Pour reserved drippings through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl to equal 1 1/2 cups, discarding solids. Prepare Thyme-Pear Gravy, and serve with turkey.
Thyme-Pear Gravy
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