My Favorite Turkey Brine
Brining involves soaking a turkey in a very salty solution, which results in incredibly juicy, flavorful meat. Here’s how to do it.
Prep: 10min
Total: 25min
Yield: 18 serving(s)
Ingredients:
- 3 c. apple juice or apple cider
- 2 gallons cold water
- 4 tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 c. kosher salt
- 2 c. brown sugar
- 3 tbsp. peppercorns
- 5 whole bay leaves
- Peel of three large oranges
Instruction:
- Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve. Turn off heat, cover and allow the brine to cool completely.
- Place the uncooked turkey in a large brining bag or pot, pour in the brine solution to cover the turkey, and refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours.
- Before roasting, remove the turkey from the brine (discard the brine) and submerge the turkey in a pot or sink filled with fresh, cold water for 15 minutes. This removes excess salt from the outside.
- Remove the turkey from the water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.
The perfect turkey brine
FAQ
What should I brine my turkey?
Based on our side-by-side taste test of turkeys cooked using these three methods, the overwhelming favorite was the flavor and texture of a salt water-brined turkey. The unbrined Simple Roasted Turkey came in a very close second.
How long should you brine turkey?
For a turkey 15 pounds or under, brine for just 24 to 36 hours. For a turkey larger than 15 pounds, brine for up to 3 days. Dry – Before you roast the turkey, take it out of the brine water and place it on a rack to dry.
Do you rinse turkey after brining?
Do You Rinse a Turkey After Brining? You should always rinse the turkey after wet or dry brining. Once rinsed, you can let the turkey air dry, uncovered, in the refrigerator for several hours, or pat it dry with a paper towel.
What is the ratio of table salt to water for turkey brine?
TABLE SALT: For a quick turkey brine recipe using table salt, use the ratio of 1 cup salt per gallon of water. For an overnight brine, use the ratio of 1/2 cups salt per gallon of water. Note that the longer the brine, the less salt it needs. KOSHER SALT: Substitute 1.5 to 2 cups kosher salt for 1 cup of table salt.
