Best 2 How To Brine A Ginormous Turkey Recipes

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and enjoy a delicious meal. And no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a juicy, flavorful turkey. If you're looking for a way to make your turkey extra special this year, try brining it. Brining is a process of soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution for several hours or overnight. This helps to tenderize the meat and keep it moist during cooking. In this article, we'll provide you with two delicious recipes for brining a ginormous turkey. The first recipe is for a classic wet brine, while the second is for a dry brine. We'll also provide tips on how to brine a turkey, how long to brine it, and how to cook it perfectly. So whether you're a novice or an experienced cook, we have everything you need to know to make a brined turkey that will wow your guests.

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

TURKEY BRINE

Turkey Brine image

This is a tasty brine for any poultry. It will make your bird very juicy, and gravy to die for!! This is enough brine for a 10 to 18 pound turkey.

Provided by SHERI GAILEY

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 8h20m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 gallon vegetable broth
1 cup sea salt
1 tablespoon crushed dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried savory
1 gallon ice water

Steps:

In a large stock pot, combine the vegetable broth, sea salt, rosemary, sage, thyme, and savory. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to be sure salt is dissolved. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.
When the broth mixture is cool, pour it into a clean 5 gallon bucket. Stir in the ice water.
Wash and dry your turkey. Make sure you have removed the innards. Place the turkey, breast down, into the brine. Make sure that the cavity gets filled. Place the bucket in the refrigerator overnight.
Remove the turkey carefully draining off the excess brine and pat dry. Discard excess brine.
Cook the turkey as desired reserving the drippings for gravy. Keep in mind that brined turkeys cook 20 to 30 minutes faster so watch the temperature gauge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2.8 calories, Carbohydrate 0.6 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 5640.3 mg, Sugar 0 g

HOW TO BRINE A GINORMOUS TURKEY

How to Brine a Ginormous Turkey image

This is an easy overnight brine for your Big Bird or even a couple of smaller birds. The secret is your picnic cooler. Cook time is brine time. If you are brining a chicken reduce the brine time to 2 - 4 hours. I don't add spices to the brine at all since I don't want to mask the flavor of the bird but if you want to add molasses or brown sugar it would be great! This works on any poultry.

Provided by Secret Agent

Categories Poultry

Time 8h15m

Yield 1 turkey, 12-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 (10 lb) bag ice (more or less)
2 gallons water (filtered and chlorine free)
2 cups kosher salt
1 turkey, any size that fits into your cooler
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 cups apple juice

Steps:

Line a big picnic cooler with a food grade plastic bag.
Boil water and salt together until all salt is dissolved and cool in fridge several hours.
Wash turkey inside and out and place into cooler. Add your optional add-ins to the cooled brine and cover turkey with ice and pour brine over all. Let turkey brine overnight making sure the cooler stays closed and adding ice if needed.
Rinse bird and continue with your recipe . Your turkey will be moist, flavorful and tender!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80.6, Fat 0.1, Sodium 19558.7, Carbohydrate 19.2, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 18, Protein 1.3

Tips:

Choose the right turkey: A fresh, free-range turkey is ideal for brining. Avoid frozen turkeys, as they can be more difficult to brine evenly.
Use a large enough container: The turkey should be completely submerged in the brine, so make sure you have a large enough container. A 5-gallon bucket or a large stockpot works well.
Make the brine ahead of time: The brine needs time to work its magic, so make it at least 12 hours before you plan to cook the turkey. You can brine the turkey for up to 24 hours, but no longer, or the meat can become too salty.
Keep the turkey cold: The turkey should be kept cold while it's brining. The ideal temperature is between 32°F and 40°F. If you don't have a refrigerator that can accommodate the turkey, you can place it in a cooler filled with ice.
Rinse the turkey thoroughly before cooking: Before you cook the turkey, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove any excess brine. This will help prevent the turkey from being too salty.

Conclusion:

Brining a turkey is a great way to ensure that it comes out juicy and flavorful. By following the tips in this article, you can easily brine a turkey at home. So next time you're cooking a turkey, give brining a try. You won't be disappointed!