This Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brined Turkey comes out so moist and flavorful, with crispy golden skin and juicy tender meat.
Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brine Turkey
Want an easy roast turkey recipe that’s moist and flavorful? Try dry brining! Rather than wet brining a turkey, dry brining is so much easier and less messy! This is how I am making my turkey again this year, my third year in a row! It’s seasoning with salt and fresh herbs and comes out wonderful. It takes 4 days to brine, but I am starting one day late (today) which is perfectly fine! And if you don’t need to make a whole turkey, you might love this stuffed turkey breast or this slow cooker turkey breast recipe.
Choosing the right size Thanksgiving turkey
A good rule of thumb is to estimate at least 1 lb to 1 1/2 lbs per person so you’ll have extra and enough for leftovers.
Fresh or Frozen?
Whether you use a fresh or frozen turkey for dry-brining, start with a bird that has no seasoning in it at all. Avoid kosher turkeys, which have been pre-salted, as well as self-basting turkeys, which have been injected with a salt solution.
Fresh – One of the pros of using a fresh bird is there’s no need to thaw. A fresh bird will keep for 4 days in the fridge. Some people think it’s more flavorful than a frozen bird.
Frozen – Typically more affordable and can be purchased weeks in advance. It does however require thawing time. If the turkey is frozen solid when you buy it, it will need approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey to thaw completely. For quicker thawing, place the turkey in a cold water bath and change the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed.
Defrosting a turkey
Fridge – if you have more time, allow the turkey to thaw in the fridge in it’s original packaging. Allow 24 hours of thawing for every 5 lbs of bird.
Cold Water Bath – If you’re short on time, submerge the bird in a cold water bath changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound of bird.
What is a dry brine?
A dry brine is an herb and salt rub applied directly to the turkey. This creates satiny leg meat and juicy, perfectly seasoned breast meat. Air-drying the turkey on the last day of the 4-day process will make the skin crisp when roasted.
Dry Brine Turkey Spices and Variations
You can play around with the herbs and spices and add garlic powder, lemon zest, black pepper, dried bay leaf, etc.
How much salt should I use?
This recipe can be adapted to turkeys of all sizes. Use 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 pounds. Diamond Crystal salt is best, Morton’s has more sodium and will be saltier. If using Morton’s, you will have to adjust and use less.
Kosher Salt
The only salt I cook with every day is Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Note that different brands and different types of salt vary not only in the amount of sodium per measured amount, but also for taste. When cooking the recipes from my website and cookbooks—both for flavor and for the sodium values listed—you should use Diamond Crystal kosher salt. If you use another type of salt or a different brand of kosher salt, just remember to taste as you go.
Storing
Leftovers should be put away when you’re done serving. Store leftover meat and the turkey carcass for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
It feels like we’ve been remodeling our new home forever, but this week I finally got to cook in my new kitchen and put my new Wolf M series double oven to the test. Needless to say, I am IN LOVE!! I went big for the first time and cooked a whole 16-pound turkey as a test run for Thanksgiving along with a few side dishes. Using this oven was everything I imagined and more!
The oven has a variety of programmed cooking modes, but for this particular recipe, I tried the Convection Roast mode which cooked the turkey in a fraction of the time! (I tested this recipe both in my old oven on conventional roast and my new Wolf oven on convection roast to see how they compared). What’s more, it’s the most spacious oven I’ve ever had (it’s actually Wolf’s largest capacity oven), so between the two of them I’m able to fit more dishes at the same time than ever before.
But the feature I think I loved best for making a turkey was the temperature probe. It takes the guesswork out of knowing if the turkey is ready and you can even download an app on your phone to monitor the meat’s cooking progress without having to open the oven door! To use the probe, I simply inserted it into the turkey thigh right between the leg and the thigh away from the bone and set the temperature to 170F. Once the turkey hit the correct temperature, it notified me it was ready. No guessing! I let it rest 30 minutes which brought the temp up a little more. The turkey was so moist and juicy, the skin so crisp and flavorful, this is how I will be making my turkey for years to come!
Leftover Turkey Recipes
- Open Faced Turkey Melts
- Leftover Turkey Sweet Potato Frittata
- Turkey Mashed Potato Pot Pie
- Leftover Turkey Harvest Cobb
- Turkey Pot Pie Soup
Your comments are helpful!! If you’ve tried this dry brine turkey recipe or any other recipe on Skinnytaste, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! And if you took some photos of video, share it with me on Instagram or Tiktok!
Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brine Turkey
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 thawed or fresh 16-lb turkey, preferably fresh (not kosher or self-basting) if frozen, thaw before
- 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, use less with Mortons
Instructions
4-Day Dry Brine:
- (4) Four days before you plan to roast the turkey, mix the herbs and oil in a small bowl. Remove the neck and giblets and reserve for stock, if using. Loosen the skin around the shoulders of the bird and around the cavity. Carefully slide your hands underneath the skin to loosen it from the breast, thighs, and drumsticks.
- Combine olive oil and herbs. Rub the herbs on the meat, under the skin. Pat the skin back into place.
- Rub the salt inside the cavity and on the skin. Tuck the wing tips behind the neck and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Put the turkey in a large food-safe plastic bag (such as a turkey-size roasting bag) and tie. Put the bag inside a second bag and tie.
- Day 1 to 3: Place on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate the turkey, turning it over every day, for 3 days.
- Day 4: Remove the turkey from the bags and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer to a large roasting pan and refrigerate, unwrapped, to let the turkey air-dry overnight (for the fourth day).
Roast turkey (Day 5):
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it temper on the counter for about 1 to 3 hours. Place turkey breast side up on a rack (sprayed with oil) in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2½ inches deep.
Convection Roast Mode:
- Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F in convection roast setting. If using a probe, insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh not touching the bone and set the temp to 170F. Roast until the temp registers 170°F in the thickest part of a thigh, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or longer depending on the size of the turkey. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to settle.
Conventional Oven:
- Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F. Roast the turkey for 1 hour, then reduce the heat to 325°F.
- Continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F in the thickest part of a thigh, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to settle.
Last Step:
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Notes
Nutrition
Categories:
Disclosure: This post is created in partnership with Sub-Zero Wolf. All thoughts are my own.
Do you have a go-to gravy recipe to serve with this turkey?
I have same question as a previous comment….what to do with a frozen turkey? I normally defrost in fridge for 3-4 days (15lbs turkey). Will I be able to start the dry brining on say day 2….will the skin loosen enough? Any tips appreciated. Thanks.
Sure as long as it’s thawed enough that should work!
Used this recipe for the first time this past thanksgiving – the turkey was a big hit. It had so much flavor! 98 year old grandmother said it was the best turkey she ever ate! Will be using this again next year. Thank you!
Perfect!
This was my second year making this turkey for Thanksgiving. It has gone to the top of the list for favorite thing on the table from my family. It’s amazing how much of an impact the rub makes to the flavor of the turkey!
This was an outstanding recipe! I did as direct except for 4 days intead of 5. It was the best flavor possible.
I want to try this recipe but I bought my frozen turkey Friday and it’s been thawing ever since. I assume since it’s still a little bit frozen I can’t start brining? Any other ideas? Thanks!
Could this be done with a turkey breast also?
I’m a bit confused – in step one you say to mix the oil and herbs. But in step two, rubbing under the skin, you say the “herb and salt mixture.” So do you mix the salt in with the herbs? Or do only the herbs/oil go under the skin and the salt does on the skin?
It really doesn’t matter but I think it’s easiest to combine salt and herbs and rub all over, and do the same for salt. In the end, they all get rubbed all over the turkey so do what’s easiest for you.
I used this recipe last year. 🙂 Delish
Does the salt get mixed with the herbs from the beginning?
We made this for Christmas dinner! It was amazing and we definitely will be making it again! Thank you! Love all of you recipes!
Thanks Francesca!
Excellent recipe! This turkey turned out so moist and flavorful! Even the white meat was moist. This will be my go to recipe for every Thanksgiving Turkey!
Dear Gina,
I’m Eden! Thanks for posting this recipe! I love turkey most! The only pity thing is that I didn’t see this splendid recipe until Tanks giving Day. But I can still make a delicious turkey for my family on Christmas day! Now this page has been stored in my favorite!
Great!
Hands down the most flavorful and juicy turkey I’ve ever had! Thanks for making me look like a rockstar. This will be my go to recipe for every Thanksgiving!
GREAT!!
Didn’t see this until the Thanksgiving Day, Made the spice rub and applied under the skin and on the skin. It was fantastic. Thank you so much for all the great recipes!
Awesome!
Trying something new this year. Still with the dry brine of lemon zest, fresh thyme, kosher salt and pepper but spatchcocked the turkey. Not the Norman Rockwell look but much quicker and evenly cooked so breast isn’t dried out.
Made this recipe last year for my first ever Turkey (since we weren’t seeing family due to COVID). Followed the recipe to a T. It was FANTASTIC! Hands down the best Turkey my husband or I have ever had. This year we are back with family and I convinced them to let me take over Turkey duty. Can’t wait for them to taste this recipe! My turkey is currently in the fridge, brining away! Thank you Gina for making me a Thanksgiving pro!
I’ve got my turkey brining. How long do you recommend cooking a 28lb turkey?
Can this prep be done for a Turkey that will be deep-fried in Peanut oil? The family loves the deep-fried turkey for thanksgiving. Definitely not the healthiest but it’s the one time of year we can make an exception, right? 😉
Ive never deep fried a turkey so I am not sure
I’m doing this recipe with a 22lbs turkey. Im just wondering what your recommendations is for cooking time.
Thanks
Always use your thermometer to be sure!
My turkey says it is basted with up to an 8% turkey broth salt and some other things. Will this recipe still work? Should I adjust the salt?
I would adjust the salt, use slightly less.
Thanks! That’s exactly what we did and it was the best turkey ever! We made several skinnytaste recipes and everyone loved them ❤️
So you start this process on Sunday and finish on Thursday…is it safe to have a turkey in refrigerator that long?
My husband and I are stationed overseas and don’t have access to fresh herbs. What adjustments do you recommend using dry herbs instead of fresh herbs?
Id cut back by half with dry herbs
fantastic! this was the BEST turkey we have ever made in 23 years! The dry brine made the turkey soft, and tasty not hard and tasteless like the previous 23 years! love love it will always use this thank you!
It was just wow! I made this dish and tried with my friends.
Can I use this same recipe in chicken?
Sure, just adjust the cooking time.
This was sooooo soooo good! Even my tough to please brother in law said it was one of the best turkeys he has had! It was so juicy and full of flavor!
Hands down the best turkey recipe I’ve tried! So incredibly moist and flavorful!
This recipe is a keeper! It was my first time making a turkey (normally my mom does but we were separated because of COVID). I was intimidated by the thought of making the turkey myself, but this turkey was very easy flavorful and juicy. A winner for sure!
Do I cover or place my turkey in a bag when roasting it?
Thanks
I never do!
I am going to go for it! I pick up my fresh turkey tomorrow, on Tuesday, before turkey day, so will do this dry brine, cover it up (probably with foil, I don’t have a bag) and let it sit covered in fridge the rest of tomorrow and overnight. Then uncover for Wednesday in fridge – and then Thursday morning I am READY! Can’t wait to try it!! Saying I am nervous is an understatement LOL
Do you mix the salt with the herbs so that the salt goes under the skin? Or does the salt just go on the skin and in the cavity? Thanks! First time making a turkey.
Salt only on the skin and in the cavity. 🙂
I accidentally mixed the salt with the herbs…. Hope it still comes out ok. 😬😏
I’ve got the turkey brining. How long do you recommend cooking a 28 lb turkey?
Will this work on a stuffed turkey?
I know this comes a year late, but just read your question and had to respond:
NEVER put stuffing into a bird to then let it sit in a fridge. HUGE risk of bacterial growth. And if stuffed, the bird will take longer to fully cook.
I always bake the stuffing in a separate casserole. Will need to add broth to keep from drying out, uncover last 20-25 mins to allow a bit of “crispiness” if you like (everyone here likes it that way).
I will rate this recipe after I make the two birds that we are preparing for 2021 Thanksgiving. I love all the fresh and dried herbs. Intrigued by addition of the oregano! Will try Mexican oregano (available in small pouches at Whole Foods). In the past, I’ve added dried nutmeg and it adds a great, subtle flavor dimension.
Will post afterwards.
Happy Holidays, Everyone! And gracias, Gina, for this recipe.
Would you still do 4 days if you only have a turkey breast? And, can you make gravy, or is it too salty?
You would reduce the salt, for a breast so it shouldn’t be too salty.
Great recipe. I just used this to make a test Turkey before Thanksgiving (it’s been a while since I’ve had to make the turkey and I have a new oven). I’ll be using this recipe for my actual Thanksgiving Turkey. Thank you
Awesome!
I used this recipe with a 9 lb turkey for 2 nights in the fridge wrapped, then 1 night unwrapped since I didn’t have the full 4 days. It turned out flavourful & crispy! Thanks Gina!!
Very nervous about having a thawed turkey for 4 days, resisting the urge to air dry tonight and roast 1 day early on Christmas eve. That said there isn’t a single comment saying that the turkey wen’t bad… fingers crossed!!
You will love it!
Our turkey turned out absolutely 100% amazing! Another winner recipe and we will keep this for next year. We used the drippings for the gravy too! Thank you as always!
I used your dry brine on a turkey breast, and my son smoked it on Thanksgiving. Amazing!!
Awesome!
This recipe came right on time. My daughter brought home a 20 lb turkey from work. I’ve never made a full turkey in my adult life. I followed this recipe (minus the sage) and it came out PERFECT. My youngest who said she wasn’t going to eat any had multiple helpings. Definitely found my go to recipe if I ever find myself with another bird. This was so helpful and had perfect tips for different ovens.
love it!
Fabulous recipe! We used a 12 lb fresh, organic turkey and didn’t adjust the ingredients. Turned out juicy and flavorful. Everyone loved it!
Made this for Thanksgiving this year…best turkey ever! My husband even ate the white meat, he never does. Under the crispy skin was that beautiful blend of herbs. I used melted butter instead of olive oil. I wish I could post a picture.Thank you for the recipe.
I bought a frozen turkey before I saw this recipe. I would love to try it but am nervous about thawing the turkey for 3 days and then brining it for another 4. Do you feel that this will be safe? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
It’s completely safe.
How much extra time at 325 per extra pound of turkey? Mine is 17.5 lbs.
You have to use your meat thermometer to be accurate.
Which cooking method would I use for my roaster that sits on my counter? Thank you. Have a happy thanksgiving!
I just read this… my turkey is thawed… is it to late? I was going to put the brine together this morning so it’s just one 48 – 55 hours before I’ll put it in the oven…
Thanks
This looks great, but I do not have enough time. Should I bother with a brine if I only have 2 days?
Sure
Will this recipe work with a stuffed turkey?
How long would this need to cook if I spatchcock the turkey?
Less time for sure, I would use the meat thermometer to be accurate.
In the picture it appears that the dry rub is used on the outside as well as under the skin, but the directions do not indicate that. Which is correct?
I rub it all over the bird and under the skin.
Hi Gina…… our house absolutely loves all your recipes. In regards to the salt…… do we use the Diamond Crystal Kosher salt or do they make an iodized table salt we need for this recipe? Thank you so much and keep the recipes coming😊
kosher salt!
I am cooking only a 5lb turkey breast since it’s just the two of us. How would I adjust this recipe for a smaller turkey?
See the guide for salt per pound and cut back 1/3 on the other ingredients.
What guide for salt?
Oh boy! This is my first time making a turkey and I’m a bit hesitant(ok nervous). I also have a wolf range with two ovens and this article is so timely. Everything you make is so darn good, I know I can’t go wrong.
Happy Thanksgiving Gina and family!!
You got this!! We will be cooking together!
Does the turkey have to be thawed to use this process? I was planning on doing your wet brine recipe so I removed turkey from freezer yesterday. Definitely still thawing.
It should be so you can get under the skin.
Do I need to cover it with foil during the cooking process or leave it uncovered?
Hi, I really want to try this recipe. I’ve never dry brined a turkey. My only question is, can I do this in 3 days instead of 4? I’m not picking up my turkey until tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe!
Can you make gravy from the drippings? or will it be too salty?
Can you still stuff the bird or will the salt ruin the stuffing?
Are those refrigerators on either side of the ovens? I can’t wait to see your new kitchen!
Should the turkey be rinsed before roasting? I roasted chickens this way and they were very good but the broth was to salty to make gravy.
I read it was not necessary.
On the recipe it says 1/4 cup salt. In another spot you say 1/4 for every 4 pound . I’m confused .
“Use 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 pounds.”
I have a turkey breast and when I opened it there was no skin. Is air drying going to make it too dry? Or should it kind of create it’s own crispy skin? I’m so nervous!
If I am doing a turkey breast only , I can use the same spices and cook the breast as directed.??? We dont need a whole turkey at my house.
I cook my turkey in a bag (designed for it). Would dry brining still work in this case?
I am not sure if the skin will crisp in the bag.
So tasty and description on how to do to make so tasty and nice turkey for thanksgivning is very good. Thanks you so much!