Really, it’s only two months until the end of the year?! I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for summer to end!
It’s been such a crazy year and I’m ready for better things on the horizon. I know that adding another year to the end of the year doesn’t always mean much, but I’m looking forward to what 2021 will bring.
Which is exactly what I am going to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We hope to be able to spend more time with family, travel, and get vaccinated so that this pandemic ends.
I thought it would be fun to share the beer-brined turkey recipe I’ve been using for years since Thanksgiving is coming up soon.
This method makes a turkey so juicy and tasty that I will never make turkey the “normal” way again. Plus, everything is better with beer added to the recipe. Ha!.
This does take a couple days to complete, so make sure you’re following along within the appropriate timeframe. Before you cook it, you’ll need to take the bird out of the freezer and put it in the fridge for a few days.
Once the turkey is 90% thawed, you’ll unwrap and remove all the gizzards and innards. Place the turkey, breast side down in a very large stockpot.
Make sure your stockpot is large enough to fit the bird and fill water to cover it completely. I got the stockpot I use at Wal-Mart for about $12, and it works great for the 20-pound turkey we cook every year.
After putting the turkey in the pot, add the beer, salt, pepper, and the fresh poultry herb blend. Stir a little to combine and fill the pot the rest of the way with water.
The next morning, add the butter, poultry herb blend, garlic and salt to a bowl. Stir to combine and make sort of a herby butter mixture.
Remove the turkey from the stockpot and pat dry. Remember to also pour the water from the cavity of the bird before patting dry. I’ve forgotten to do this before and made a huge mess in my kitchen.
Take your herb butter mixture and spread evenly all over the breast side of the turkey. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with a roasting rack.
Tent with foil and roast at 350° F for about 2 hours. Take off the tenting and cook the turkey until it’s fully cooked and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the bird reads 165° F. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes per pound.
Ever since I started making our turkey this way, my family always requests it now. However, this year instead of roasting we might smoke it!.
Beer and turkey may seem like an unlikely pairing, but cooking your turkey with beer results in an incredibly moist, tender and flavorful bird. The beer bastes the meat from the inside out, keeping it unbelievably juicy while also imparting subtle malty, hoppy flavors.
Cooking with beer is a fun twist on the classic roasted turkey, and it couldn’t be easier. We’ll walk through everything you need to know about beer-basting your turkey for the ultimate crowd-pleasing centerpiece.
Why Cook a Turkey with Beer?
Cooking a turkey with beer offers several advantages over standard roasting methods
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Infuses moisture – Beer Keep meat very moist and tender as it bastes from the inside.
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Adds flavor – Subtle beer flavors enhance the turkey’s natural taste.
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Promotes browning – Brews contain sugars that help turkey skin caramelize to a beautiful brown
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Easy technique – Beer-basting is as easy as regular roasted turkey.
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Fun twist – It’s a unique and tasty way to change up your holiday bird.
So if you’re looking to up your turkey game with a cool new cooking method, grab a six pack and let’s get brewing!
Choosing the Right Beer
You can use just about any style of beer to baste your turkey. Here are some top options:
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Pale Ale – Imparts mild hoppiness with caramel malt notes. A balanced flavor.
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Amber Ale – Provides subtle caramel flavors that pair nicely with poultry.
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Pilsner – Bright, clean taste won’t overwhelm the turkey.
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Wheat Beer – Light citrus and wheat flavors add a tangy twist.
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Porter – Robust, roasty flavors are fantastic with turkey.
Avoid very bitter IPAs as the hops can clash with the delicate turkey flavor. Otherwise, choose a beer you enjoy drinking to impart those same tasty notes.
Step-By-Step Method
Basting a turkey with beer is simple. Just follow these steps:
Prep: Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavities. Rinse turkey, inside and out. Pat extremely dry.
Season: Generously season inside cavity and all over turkey with salt, pepper and any other spices.
Prop: Place onion, garlic, citrus, herbs in cavity to impart flavor.
Roast: Position turkey in roasting pan, breast up. Pour one bottle of beer over. Roast at 325°F, basting with pan juices every 20 minutes.
Baste: After 2 hours, pour remaining beer over turkey. Continue roasting and basting until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Rest: Let turkey rest 30 minutes before carving for maximum juiciness.
Handy Tips for Best Results
Follow these handy tips for the most juicy, flavorful beer-basted turkey:
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Let turkey sit out for 1 hour to come to room temperature before roasting.
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Pat turkey very dry before seasoning – this helps crispy skin form.
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Try a fruit beer for a touch of sweetness and fruity aroma.
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Add fresh herbs, citrus and garlic to the cavity for extra flavor.
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Use a baking sheet with raised edges to contain the beer-infused drippings.
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Baste frequently, every 20-30 minutes, for even moisture distribution.
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Tent breast with foil if browning too quickly while legs finish cooking.
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Check temperature in inner thigh, not just breast, to ensure doneness.
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Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
Fantastic Beer Pairings
Serve these excellent beers alongside your beer-cooked turkey:
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Amber Lager – Lightly sweet with subtle toasted malt notes
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Dunkel Lager – Rich, malty flavor enhances the turkey
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Brown Ale – Nutty caramel and chocolate flavors pair perfectly
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Marzen – Biscuit maltiness with mild bitterness
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Belgian Dubbel – Fruity and malty with slight spiciness
Satisfy with the Best Beer-Basted Bird
Cooking your turkey with beer results in an unbelievably juicy, tender and flavorful holiday centerpiece. The beer bastes the bird from the inside out while also imparting delicious flavor notes. Follow our simple method for the easiest and most crowd-pleasing roasted turkey you’ve ever tasted. Cheers to a beer-fueled Thanksgiving!
Beer Can Turkey 101: Master the Art of Succulent, Juicy Poultry
FAQ
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