Grilled Tea-Brined Turkey with Tea-and-Lemon Gravy

Ingredients for Grilled Tea-Brined Turkey with Tea-and-Lemon Gravy

• 5 lemons, divided

• 18 Earl Grey tea bags

• 11 4-inch-long rosemary sprigs, divided

• 300g coarse kosher salt

• 300g (packed) golden brown sugar

• 120ml fresh lemon juice

• 2875ml ice cubes

• 2 turkey-size oven-roasting bags

• 450g turkey

• neck, heart, and gizzard reserved for gravy

• 1 12 3/4x9x2-inch disposable aluminum pan

• 1 celery stalk, cut crosswise into 3-inch pieces

• 1 medium onion, quartered

• 60ml olive oil

• Tea-and-Lemon Gravy

How to make Grilled Tea-Brined Turkey with Tea-and-Lemon Gravy

Bring 6.1L water to boil in large pot. Remove from heat. Using vegetable peeler, remove peel from 3 lemons (yellow part only). Add peel, tea bags, and 6 rosemary sprigs to water; steep 20 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add salt and sugar; stir to dissolve. Stir in lemon juice. Cool to lukewarm. Add ice to reduce temperature to below 7°C.

Place 1 roasting bag inside the second, forming 2 layers. Place inside large pot. Place turkey in roasting bags, breast side down. Pour brine over turkey. Tie bags tightly, eliminating any air pockets. Refrigerate 36 to 48 hours. Or, place bags into large cooler, pour brine over turkey, and tie bags securely. Pour ice over and around turkey in bags. Place lid securely on cooler. Check twice a day to ensure that turkey is covered with ice (some ice will melt). Remove top rack from grill. Place disposable aluminum baking pan in centre of barbecue (if using 2-burner gas grill, place pan on 1 side of grill; if using 3-burner grill, place pan over centre burner).

Prepare barbecue (medium-low heat). If using charcoal grill, arrange coals on each side of aluminum baking pan, dividing equally. (You will need to add about 6 briquettes to each side of aluminum pan every 30 minutes to maintain temperature while cooking turkey.) If using 3-burner gas grill, light burner(s) on left and right, leaving centre burner(s) off. If using 2-burner gas grill, light burner on side opposite disposable pan. Insert instant-read thermometer into top vent of grill. Maintain temperature at around 177°C.

Drain turkey; discard brine. Pat turkey dry. Pierce 2 lemons all over with fork. Stuff turkey with lemons, 5 sprigs rosemary, celery, and onion. Tie legs together. Brush turkey all over with oil.

Place turkey directly on grill above aluminum pan. Close grill. Adjust temperature to maintain 177°C. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 79°C, about 3 hours. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil. Allow to rest 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees). Serve with gravy.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.