The Salt Rub: An Easier Alternative to the Turkey Brine

Admittedly, brining a turkey does bring out flavor, and adds sweet juiciness to even the driest parts of the turkey. However, making room for a two-day bird-bath in your refrigerator delivers quite a challenge to an already-over burdened, holiday-stocked refrigerator.

Last Thanksgiving, I turned the same aromatic herbs I typically use for a turkey brine into a salt rub.  This is similar to the way in which you cook cheap cuts of read meat, to seal in the moistness.  The process was effortless, and the results were outstanding. Just like the brined turkey, the rubbed bird was tasty and juicy; and I was free of the 3-day struggling of finding room for the turkey’s bath. Here’s how to give your turkey a salt rub.

Ingredients:

• 1 14 pound thawed turkey
• 1/2 cup Kosher Salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1-tablespoon coriander seeds
• ½-teaspoon fennel seeds
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 star anise (optional)

1. Using a coffee grinder, or a mortal and pestle, grind spices together just enough to break them down.
2. Rub the mixture evenly over the skin of the turkey.
3. Let the turkey sit, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight.
4. The next day, baking day, brush off the salt and roast as usual.

Roasting the Turkey:

Be sure to use the rosemary-infused baster..

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Roast until the turkey starts to brown, about 25 minutes.
• Turn down the oven to 350 and roast about 10 minutes per pound, for a total of 2-21/2 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 160 degrees F.
• As the turkey roasts, baste frequently with the pan juices, with the rosemary brush.
• If the bird begins to darken too much, cover loosely with foil.
• Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer to a serving platter, and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.