In a medium pot, bring 3 quarts of the tap water to a boil over medium heat. Put the kosher salt in a large bowl and slowly (and carefully!) pour the boiling water over the salt. Stir to blend.
Add the molasses, honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sage, thyme and garlic to the salt and water mixture. Stir to blend. Add the remaining 3 quarts of cool water. Add the ice to a cooler or bucket large enough to hold the brine and the turkey. Pour the brine over the ice and use a large whisk to blend all of the ingredients.
Submerge the turkey, breast side down, in the brine. Make sure the cavity of the bird fills with the liquid as you are submerging it. Cover the cooler and allow the bird to sit in the brine overnight or for about 12 hours.
Remove the bird from the brine and dry it thoroughly with thick (absorbent) kitchen towels. Take care to wipe inside the cavity as well. Discard the brine. Whisk together the butter and the lemon zest. Gently lift the skin covering 1 breast of the turkey and spread half of the butter right on the meat under the skin. Repeat with the other breast. The butter will add extra moisture and richness as the bird roasts.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Arrange the turkey in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Put on the lower rack of the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the turkey taken from the thickest part of the thigh reads 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 3 1/2 hours. Remove the turkey from the oven to a cutting board or serving platter and tent with foil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Kitchen-Friendly View

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	1287.45 Kcal (5390 kJ)
Calories from fat	551.21 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	61.25g	94%
Cholesterol	489.46mg	163%
Sodium	15800.53mg	658%
Potassium	1751.1mg	37%
Total Carbs	60.01g	20%
Sugars	58.46g	234%
Dietary Fiber	0.53g	2%
Protein	130.99g	262%
Vitamin C	5.9mg	10%
Vitamin A	0.3mg	11%
Iron	7.6mg	42%
Calcium	150.6mg	15%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	97.68 Kcal (409 kJ)
Calories from fat	41.82 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	4.65g	94%
Cholesterol	37.14mg	163%
Sodium	1198.85mg	658%
Potassium	132.86mg	37%
Total Carbs	4.55g	20%
Sugars	4.44g	234%
Dietary Fiber	0.04g	2%
Protein	9.94g	262%
Vitamin C	0.4mg	10%
Iron	0.6mg	42%
Calcium	11.4mg	15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

Search recipes
by ingredients

Construct & Analyze
Your Recipe

Analyze

Try this similar recipes

Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

Tap water, Kosher salt, Molasses, Honey, Soy sauce and 8 more..
Rosemary-Roasted Turkey with Gravy

Kosher salt and 13 more..
Herb-Roasted Turkey with Cheese Grits

Thyme sprigs, Rosemary sprig, Sage sprig, Minced garlic and 7 more..
Thyme-Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Gravy

Unsalted butter, at room temperature, Minced fresh thyme and 13 more..
Herb-Roasted Turkey With Maple Gravy

Turkey, Head garlic , halved horizontally and 9 more..
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Unsalted butter, melted, Cayenne pepper and 11 more..
Sourdough, Wild Mushroom, and Bacon Dressing

Unsalted butter , for the baking dish and 14 more..
Soy and Honey Pork Chops

Honey, Soy sauce, Crushed red pepper flakes and 5 more..
Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey, Soy sauce, Red pepper flakes, Olive oil and 1 more..
Pfefferkuchen

Molasses, Honey, White sugar, Ground anise seed and 14 more..
Honey-Rhubarb Muffins

Butter, Granulated sugar, Egg, slightly beaten and 13 more..
Gingerbread Torte

Butter, softened, Sugar, Eggs, Molasses and 11 more..
French Onion Soup Dumplings

Butter, Olive oil, Red onions, thinly sliced and 14 more..