Spice-Rubbed Roast Turkey

from Cook's Illustrated (Nov/Dec 2003, pg 13)


Turkey & Brine
2 gallons water in large stock pot or clean bucket
2 cups salt
1 turkey (12 - 14 pounds gross weight), rinsed thoroughly, giblets, neck, and tailpiece discarded


Spice Rub
1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon whole allspice
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
3 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil


Dissolve salt in water (in bucket). Add turkey and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.

Meanwhile, toast coriander, cumin, allspice and mustard in small skillet over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally, until fragrant and wisps of smoke appear, 3 to 5 minutes. Cool mixture to room temperature, then grind to fine powder in dedicated coffee grinder or spice grinder or with mortar and pestle. Transfer mixture to small bowl, stir in paprika, ginger, thyme, cayenne, and cinnamon; cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

Remove turkey from brine and rinse under cool running water. Pat dry inside and out with paper towels. Place turkey breast-side up on flat wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan and refrigerate, uncovered, 30 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 1 tablespoon spice rub with vegetable oil and set aside. Remove turkey from refrigerator and wipe away any water collected in baking sheet; set turkey on baking sheet. Carefully seperate skin from breast meat and rub boil/spice rub mixture directly onto breast meat. Rub 3 tablespoons spice rub inside turkey cavity. Apply remaining spice rub to turkey, beginning with back-side up and finishing with breast-side up, pressing and patting to make spices adhere, and picking up and reapplying any spice rub that falls onto baking sheet. Tuck wings behind back and tie ends of drumsticks together with twine. Set turkey on wire rack, set wire rack on baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered 6 to 24 hours. (This makes your refrigerator smell VERY spicy.)

Adjust oven rack to lowest position; heat oven to 400 degrees. Place V-Rack in large roasting pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set turkey breast-side down on V-Rack. Reapply any spice rub that has fallen off. Roast 45 minutes.

Remove roasting pan with turkey from oven; using thick wads of paper towels or potholders, rotate turkey leg/wing-side up. Roast 15 minutes longer. Remove roasting pan with turkey from oven; using thick wads of paper towels or potholders, rotate turkey second leg/wing-side up. Roast 15 minutes longer.

Remove roasting pan with turkey from oven; using thick wads of paper towels or potholders, rotate turkey breast side up. Roast until thickets part of breast registers 165 degrees and tickest part of thigh registers 170 to 175 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 30 to 45 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to carving board, let rest 20 to 30 minutes. Carve and serve.