Poultry

Sweet Tea Brined Lemon Pepper Turkey

Prep Time: 10 hrs

Cook Time: 3 hrs

Difficulty: Beginner

Here's another amazing turkey option, perfect for the holiday season. With herbs, lemon, and Chef John's Soul Powder Rub, this flavor-packed poultry will be history in no time.

Instructions

Step 1: To prepare brine, bring all ingredients except ice to a boil and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Add ice and chill completely.
Step 2: Spatchcock turkey by removing backbone and cracking breast plate so the bird lays flat. Add turkey to the brine and let sit overnight in the fridge.
Step 3: Preheat recteq to 325ºF.
Step 4: Dry the turkey well, rub with olive oil, and season with Chef John's Soul Powder Rub.
Step 5: Line Mesh Cooking Mat evenly with lemon slices. Place turkey gently on lemon and cook.
Step 6: Prepare sauce by melting butter and adding 1 tablespoon Chef John's Soul Powder Rub and lemon zest. Mix well and sit aside.
Step 7: Cook until it reaches 180ºF in the legs/thighs and 165ºF in the breast meat. Allow 10-20 minutes to rest.
Step 8: After bird is sliced, drizzle lemon butter mixture over meat.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

Brine

4 each Tea Bag(s)
¹/₂ gallon(s) Water
¹/₂ cup(s) Brown Sugar
¹/₄ cup(s) Salt
1 each White Onion, sliced
1 each Lemon, sliced
3 each Garlic Cloves, cracked
2 sprig(s) Rosemary
4 pound(s) Ice

Turkey

13 pound(s) Whole Turkey
2 tablespoon(s) Olive Oil
1 tablespoon(s) Chef John's Soul Powder Rub
3 each Lemons, sliced

Sauce

1 stick(s) Unsalted Butter
1 tablespoon(s) Chef John's Soul Powder Rub
1 teaspoon(s) Lemon Zest

Tools Needed

Mesh Cooking Mat

Step 1: To prepare brine, bring all ingredients except ice to a boil and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Add ice and chill completely.
Step 2: Spatchcock turkey by removing backbone and cracking breast plate so the bird lays flat. Add turkey to the brine and let sit overnight in the fridge.
Step 3: Preheat recteq to 325ºF.
Step 4: Dry the turkey well, rub with olive oil, and season with Chef John's Soul Powder Rub.
Step 5: Line Mesh Cooking Mat evenly with lemon slices. Place turkey gently on lemon and cook.
Step 6: Prepare sauce by melting butter and adding 1 tablespoon Chef John's Soul Powder Rub and lemon zest. Mix well and sit aside.
Step 7: Cook until it reaches 180ºF in the legs/thighs and 165ºF in the breast meat. Allow 10-20 minutes to rest.
Step 8: After bird is sliced, drizzle lemon butter mixture over meat.

Chef Pairings

This Lemon Pepper Turkey will be the perfect start for your holiday meal. Add Sage Stuffing and Sweet Potato Casserole for a traditional festive table spread.