Best 2 Savory Turkey Brine Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Savory Turkey Brine: A Thanksgiving Essential**

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and delicious food. And no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. The key to a moist and flavorful turkey is a good brine. A brine is a solution of salt, sugar, and spices that helps to flavor and tenderize the turkey. In this article, we'll share our favorite savory turkey brine recipe, as well as a few other brine recipes that you might enjoy. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time turkey roaster, we have a brine recipe that's perfect for you. So gather your ingredients and let's get started!

This article contains the following recipes:

* **Savory Turkey Brine:** This is our go-to brine recipe for turkey. It's made with a combination of salt, sugar, and spices, and it produces a moist and flavorful turkey every time.
* **Herb-Roasted Turkey:** This recipe combines our savory turkey brine with a delicious herb rub. The result is a turkey that's bursting with flavor.
* **Cider-Brined Turkey:** This recipe uses apple cider in the brine, which gives the turkey a slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
* **Cajun-Spiced Turkey:** This recipe is perfect for those who like a little spice in their turkey. The brine is made with a combination of Cajun spices, and it produces a turkey that's sure to impress your guests.
* **Dry Brine Turkey:** This recipe is a great option for those who are short on time. Dry brining involves rubbing the turkey with a mixture of salt and spices, and then refrigerating it for a period of time.

No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to end up with a delicious turkey that will be the star of your Thanksgiving feast.

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

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

SAVORY TURKEY BRINE



SAVORY TURKEY BRINE image

Categories     Marinate     Christmas     Thanksgiving     New Year's Eve

Yield liters 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 liters (1-3/4 gallons) vegetable or poultry stock or plain water
1 cup sea salt (sal de grano)
1 cup brown sugar
thyme to taste, 4-6 bay leaves, a sprig of rosemary and a head of garlic cut in half across the teeth
1-2 onions, cut into eighths
3-4 serrano peppers, cut once lengthwise
4 (more) liters of cold water

Steps:

  • Combine everything except cold water in a large pot. Simmer for 15 minutes or till salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Remove pot from flame and allow ingredients to cool to room temperature. Add cold water. Place large garbage bag or oven bag in a cooler. Place thawed, washed and cleaned turkey in bag and pour brine and spices over turkey. Close bag with cinch tie. Make small ice packs by placing bagged ice in large Ziplock bags. Place around turkey and cover cooler. Leave turkey in brine for two hours per kilo of weight (approximately one hour per pound). Remove turkey from brine and wash thoroughly before preparing to roast.

Tips:

  • Choose the right turkey: For the best results, choose a fresh or thawed turkey that is between 12 and 16 pounds.
  • Prepare the brine: Combine all of the brine ingredients in a large pot or container. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
  • Brine the turkey: Place the turkey in a large brining bag or container. Pour the cooled brine over the turkey, making sure that the turkey is completely submerged. Seal the bag or container and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Roast the turkey: When you are ready to cook the turkey, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and cook for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the turkey rest: When the turkey is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

Conclusion:

Brining a turkey is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. By following these tips, you can ensure that your turkey turns out perfectly cooked and delicious. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, brining a turkey is a technique that is definitely worth trying.

Related Topics