Orange-brined turkey
Orange-brined turkey is a festive main course where a whole turkey bathes in a citrus brine of orange, garlic, bay leaves, salt and maple syrup. The Thermomix TM7 chops the garlic and parsley, grinds the bay leaves and blends the maple brine to a uniform marinade, guaranteeing juicy, aromatic meat with a subtle sweet citrus note for your celebration table.
About this recipe
Orange-brined turkey with the Thermomix TM7 transforms your holiday roast into a fragrant, juicy centrepiece with minimal effort. This recipe for brined turkey relies on the all-in-one kitchen machine to prepare the citrus marinade: the TM7 chops garlic cloves and fresh flat leaf parsley in seconds, grinds the dried bay leaves into a fine powder, and blends the salt and pure maple syrup with fresh orange into a silky, fully dissolved brine. Brining is the secret to succulent festive turkey — the salt and maple syrup season the meat right through, while the orange zest cuts through the richness with bright citrus notes. Whether you are planning a Christmas dinner, a Thanksgiving celebration or a Sunday family feast, this Thermomix TM7 orange-brined turkey recipe takes the stress out of the biggest meal of the year, leaving you free to focus on sides and gravy.
Preparation tips
- Brine the turkey in a large food-safe container or brining bag and keep it fully submerged by placing a plate on top; turn the bird once halfway for evenly seasoned, juicy meat throughout.
- Pat the turkey thoroughly dry after brining and let it rest uncovered in the fridge for a few hours; a dry skin crisps up beautifully in the oven and the maple syrup creates a glossy, golden finish.
- Reserve some of the orange and parsley mixture to rub under the skin before roasting, and add extra orange halves to the roasting tin for a pan juice base that makes an aromatic gravy.
Recipe variations
- Citrus variation: replace half of the oranges with blood oranges or add lemon and lime wedges to the brine for a sharper, more complex citrus character that pairs wonderfully with the maple syrup sweetness.
- Festive winter version: add a cinnamon stick, a few juniper berries and a sprig of rosemary to the brine, giving the turkey a warming, Scandinavian-style spice note perfect for Christmas dinner.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Fine chopping - The Thermomix chops the garlic cloves and flat leaf parsley in seconds for a fragrant, even brine base. [Chopping]
- Fresh grinding - Grinding the dried bay leaves with the TM7 releases their full aroma into the orange brine instantly. [Grinding]
- Silky blending - The Thermomix blends maple syrup, salt and orange juice into a fully dissolved, uniform turkey brine. [Mixing]
- Built-in precision - Weigh the salt and maple syrup directly in the TM7 mixing bowl for a perfectly balanced citrus brine. [Weighing]
- Gentle heating - The Thermomix warms the brine gently so the salt and maple syrup dissolve completely without cooking the orange zest. [Heating]
Ingredients
- oranges
- turkey
- garlic cloves
- fresh flat-leaf parsley
- dried bay leaves
- salt
- pure maple syrup
- water
- brown rice
- water