Best 4 Easy Pork Brine Recipes

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Pork is an incredibly versatile meat that can be cooked in a multitude of ways. If you're looking to achieve juicy, flavorful pork, brining is the technique for you. Brining pork is an easy process that involves soaking the meat in a salt solution for several hours or overnight. This process helps to tenderize the meat, enhance its flavor, and keep it moist during cooking. Whether you're planning to grill, roast, or fry your pork, brining is a great way to ensure that it turns out perfectly cooked and incredibly delicious. Here are three of our favorite pork brine recipes that will take your taste buds on a culinary journey. First up, we have a classic wet brine that combines salt, sugar, and spices for a simple yet effective brine that will impart a savory flavor to your pork. Next, we introduce you to an aromatic dry brine featuring a blend of herbs, garlic, and citrus zest that will infuse your pork with a vibrant and complex flavor profile. Last but not least, we have a flavorful injection brine that utilizes a mixture of apple juice, spices, and herbs, directly injected into the meat to deliver intense flavor from the inside out. With these exceptional brining recipes at your disposal, you'll be able to elevate your pork dishes to new heights of culinary excellence.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BASIC PORK BRINE



Basic Pork Brine image

I use this brine for all pork cuts that I grill. It adds a subtle flavor to the meat without being too salty. The pork cooks up tender, moist and delicious every time.

Provided by JulieG

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups water, more if needed
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, gently crushed
3 slices fresh ginger, gently crushed

Steps:

  • Mix water, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in garlic and ginger.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 85.4 calories, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 0.1 g, Sodium 1159.8 mg, Sugar 21.4 g

PORK BRINE



Pork Brine image

This is a marinade for any cut of pork you may be having. It makes it so juicy you'll ask when you're having pork again!

Provided by shasty

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork

Time 15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 tray ice cubes
2 pounds boneless pork chops

Steps:

  • Measure the vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil. In a sealable plastic container, combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, and mustard powder.
  • Pour the hot vinegar into the container, and stir to dissolve. Let stand for about 10 minutes to develop the flavors, then add the ice cubes. Cover and shake, or stir until melted. Remove the lid and add pork chops to the brine. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Cook pork chops as desired. Pan fry or grill for about 15 minutes over medium-high heat, turning once. They will be juicy and moist.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.9 calories, Carbohydrate 25.3 g, Cholesterol 99.8 mg, Fat 5.7 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 34.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 86.9 mg, Sugar 23.8 g

EASY PORK BRINE



Easy Pork Brine image

Tangy and sweet, and a very quick fixture to flavor, without much time! Once you have stirred water into the mixture, add pork chops. Let pork chops sit in the brine in the refrigerator for about 2 hours before cooking.

Provided by camgurlof1990

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup brown sugar
½ cup salt
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 cup cider vinegar
2 cups water, or as needed to cover

Steps:

  • Mix brown sugar, salt, mustard powder, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Pour in cider vinegar; stir until sugar and salt have dissolved. Add water; stir until well combined.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120.4 calories, Carbohydrate 28.2 g, Fat 0.4 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.5 g, Sodium 11.3 mg, Sugar 27.1 g

BASIC ALL PURPOSE BRINE FOR MEATS, CHICKEN, AND TURKEY



Basic All Purpose Brine for Meats, Chicken, and Turkey image

Make and share this Basic All Purpose Brine for Meats, Chicken, and Turkey recipe from Food.com.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     Christmas

Time 3h15m

Yield 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon black peppercorns
2 sprigs fresh thyme
3 bay leaves
4 -6 cloves garlic, sliced
4 cups water
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup kosher salt

Steps:

  • Makes 1 quart- make up additional amounts of brine if needed until meat is submerged.
  • Stir ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved.
  • Allow to cool.
  • Place meat or poultry in a food safe plastic bag inside another container for support and leakage control (oven roasting bags are a fine choice- NOT garbage bags).
  • Pour cooled brine into bag, and squeeze out as much air as possible and seal with a twistie tie.
  • Refrigerate for 3-4 hours for 3 pounds meat (such as pork ribs), 5-6 hours for a nice roasting hen, or 12-24 hours for a turkey, 12 hours being for a small one and the longer time for those turkeys around 20+ pounds.
  • Discard brine before using and pat meat dry.
  • If using poultry, you may want to add citrus fruit such as oranges or lemons, additional fresh herbs, or cloves of garlic into the cavity.
  • Prepare meat as desired- roast, bbq, etc.

Tips:

  • Choose the right pork:For the most flavorful results, choose a bone-in pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts have a good amount of fat, which will help keep the meat moist during the brining process.
  • Use a flavorful brine:The best brines are made with a combination of salt, sugar, and spices. You can also add herbs, citrus fruits, or other flavorful ingredients to taste.
  • Brine the pork for at least 12 hours:The longer you brine the pork, the more flavor it will absorb. For best results, brine the pork for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.
  • Rinse the pork before cooking:Before cooking the pork, rinse it off with cold water to remove any excess brine.
  • Cook the pork slowly and carefully:Pork shoulder and pork butt are both tough cuts of meat, so it's important to cook them slowly and carefully. This will help the meat become tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Pork brine is a simple and easy way to add flavor and moisture to your pork dishes. By following the tips above, you can create a delicious and flavorful pork brine that will make your pork dishes a hit. So next time you're looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your pork, give pork brine a try. You won't be disappointed!

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