Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey
Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey features a gentle sweetness from apple cider balanced by a light herb aroma, yielding tender, succulent meat beneath beautifully crisped skin. The brine infuses deep flavor throughout, making each slice moist and richly seasoned. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a special Sunday dinner when you want a showstopping centerpiece.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook4 hrs
- Serves15
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 34 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 23 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 92 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 43
- Heart Health
- 40
- Metabolic
- 55
- Digestive
- 31
- Inflammatory
- 49
- Performance
- 47
- General Wellness
- 1
Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Combine water, apple cider, kosher salt, and sugar in a large pot or 5-gallon food-grade bucket, stirring until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Submerge the turkey in the brine, cover the container, and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
- 3
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- 4
Remove the turkey from the brine; discard the brine. Place the turkey, breast-side up, in a roasting pan; pat the turkey and cavity dry with paper towels. Loosen the skin over the breast and thighs with your fingers.
- 5
Whisk olive oil, thyme, and poultry seasoning together in a small bowl; rub over the turkey and underneath the loosened skin. Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
- 6
Cook in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near but not touching the bone, reads 165 to 175 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C), about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Remove the foil about 45 minutes before the end of the cook time to brown the skin. Let the turkey rest before carving, 30 to 45 minutes.
- Calories 718.59 kcal High 36%
- Protein 40.1 g Good Source 80%
- Carbohydrate 67.56 g 25%
- Total Fat 33.87 g High 43%
- Saturated Fat 5.11 g High 26%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 84.8 mg High 28%
- Sodium 535.57 mg High 23%
- Dietary Fiber 12.56 g Good Source 45%
- Total Sugars 56.56 g --
- Added Sugars 15.94 g High 32%
- Calcium 40.62 mg Low Source 3%
- Iron 1.04 mg Low Source 6%
- Potassium 575.67 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin A 47.64 mcg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin C 2.34 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
No known allergens listed for this recipe. Always double-check ingredients for your needs.
About This Recipe
Lauren's Cider Brined Roast Turkey is made with 8 ingredients and serves 15. It takes about 4 hrs 20 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Apple Cider, Dried Thyme, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Poultry Seasoning. Each serving provides about 718.59 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey made of?
- The main ingredients are Apple Cider, Dried Thyme, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Poultry Seasoning, Sea Salt. The full list of 8 is above.
- How long does it take to make Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey?
- About 4 hrs 20 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 4 hrs to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 718.59 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 8 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey healthy?
- Lauren's Cider-Brined Roast Turkey has an easyChef Pro health score of 46/100. Per serving, it provides 718.59 calories and 40.1 g of protein, or 80% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 535.57 mg (23% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 5.11 g (26% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 15.94 g (32% of the Daily Value). Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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