Best 4 The Best Turkey Brine Recipes
Thanksgiving is incomplete without a juicy, flavorful turkey. Brining the turkey is a surefire way to achieve this, as it helps keep the meat moist and tender while infusing it with delicious flavors. This article features a collection of the best turkey brine recipes, each carefully crafted to deliver a unique taste experience.
From classic brines that let the natural flavors of the turkey shine through to innovative brines that introduce exciting flavor combinations, there's a recipe here for every palate. Whether you prefer a simple brine made with salt, sugar, and herbs, or a more elaborate brine that includes spices, citrus, or even beer, you're sure to find a recipe that suits your preferences.
Each recipe provides detailed instructions, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve perfect results. You'll learn how to prepare the brine, how long to brine the turkey, and how to cook it to perfection. With these recipes, you can be confident that your Thanksgiving turkey will be the star of the show. So, gather your ingredients, choose your favorite brine recipe, and get ready to create a truly memorable Thanksgiving feast.
MY FAVORITE TURKEY BRINE
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Time P1DT25m
Yield 18 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine 2 gallons cold water with the apple cider, brown sugar, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary and orange peels in a large pot. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and cover.
- Allow to cool completely, then place into the fridge to chill. Place uncooked turkey in the chilled brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours.
- When ready to roast the turkey, remove from the brine. Submerge the turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside.
- Discard the brine. Remove the turkey from the clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.
THE BEST TURKEY BRINE
This is our go-to brine for turkey. It's simple, flavorful and most importantly leaves you with a succulent, juicy, perfectly-seasoned bird. It's also perfect for chicken, pork chops, Cornish game hens - you name it. While we like the combination of thyme and sage, you can also use other hearty herbs such as rosemary, oregano or marjoram.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories condiment
Time 10m
Yield 12 to 14 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine 1/2 cup salt, the sugar and 1 quart water in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the peppercorns, thyme, sage and lemon strips. Let steep and cool to room temperature.
- Pour the brine into a large stockpot or bucket and add 3 quarts cold water. Remove the neck and giblets (reserve for gravy) from the turkey and put it into the brine, pushing it down to cover. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine; rinse and pat dry. Cook according to your favorite method.
TURKEY BRINE
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
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
THE BEST TURKEY BRINE
This is a recipe I have used over the years. The turkey always seems to come out moist, tender, and delicious. I think the original recipe may have came from Emeril, but I may have changed a couple things.
Provided by dannyboy22
Categories Whole Turkey
Time 20m
Yield 2 gallons
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a non-reactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, plastic garbage bag.) Add the oranges, lemons, and poultry herbs. I like to squeeze out some of the juices from the oranges and lemons into the solution before I add them. (Note: If you have a big turkey and need more brine, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every additional gallon of water.).
- Remove the neck, giblets, and liver from the cavity of the turkey and reserve. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
- Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Remove turkey from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Pat dry and prepare turkey according to your recipe.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 496.4, Fat 0.3, Sodium 56732.3, Carbohydrate 128.7, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 120.4, Protein 2
Tips:
- Enhance the flavor of your turkey by using a flavorful liquid, such as chicken broth or apple cider, as the base of your brine. - Add aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, herbs, and spices to the brine to impart additional flavor. - Ensure the brine is cold before submerging the turkey to prevent bacterial growth. - Maintain the turkey in the brine for a specific time, typically 12 to 24 hours, depending on the size of the turkey. - Rinse the turkey thoroughly with cold water after brining to remove excess salt and seasonings. - Pat the turkey dry before cooking to promote crispy skin.Conclusion:
Brining a turkey is a culinary technique that elevates the flavor and moisture of the final dish. By immersing the turkey in a flavorful liquid infused with aromatic ingredients, the brine penetrates the meat, resulting in a juicy and succulent bird. Remember to use a cold brine, maintain the turkey in the brine for the appropriate amount of time, and rinse it thoroughly before cooking. Experiment with various brine recipes to find the perfect combination of flavors that suits your taste. With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving turkey that will impress your family and friends.
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