The Best Turkey Brine Recipe – A simple blend of salt, sugar, and spices will create the moistest and most flavorful turkey you’ve ever made. Give our easy brine and roasting recipes a try for your Thanksgiving turkey! Show
It’s Brine Time!Every year around this time I get questions about turkey brining. You ask…
As you can see, it’s high time I wrote a post about turkey brine. Today I will try to answer all these questions as thoroughly as I can and offer simple roasting steps, so that this year you can serve the plumpest, most flavorful turkey you’ve ever roasted. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering! Should I Brine My Thanksgiving Turkey?In short, YES you should always brine your turkey. It makes a huge difference in taste and texture. I have heard many arguments over the years that brining isn’t worth the time and effort. Or that it doesn’t really enhance the flavor of the bird. But after roasting well over 50 turkeys in my lifetime, I can firmly state, brining makes all the difference. In fact, every time I try a different method of preparing my turkey, I’m always disappointed. Always. In my opinion, a simple brined turkey, without any extra seasoning, stuffing, or glamor is always the ultimate winner at any holiday gathering. What Does Brining Do To Turkey?Soaking poultry in brine does three things that improve the overall dining experience.
Pretty good results, don’t you think? How Do You Make A Turkey Brine?Brine in its simplest form is just water and salt. However, our Best Turkey Brine Recipe offers a little more flavor from sugar, herbs, and spices. You simply mix the salt with warm water so it dissolves into the water. Then add in any additional ingredients.
What’s The Easiest And Cleanest Way To Brine A Turkey?Honestly, I find brining a turkey to be a life-saver several days before Thanksgiving or Christmas. After all, refrigerator space is limited, so I want to move the turkey out for other items. Therefore I always brine the turkey in a cooler. I wash the cooler. Mix the brine in it. Then submerge the turkey in the brine and cover it with ice. It can stay in the cooler for several days, leaving more room in the fridge for pies and side dishes. You can even dry the turkey in the cooler, resting on ice. When I’m done with the cooler, I simply dump the brine in the garden, spray the cooler with a disinfectant kitchen cleaner, and spray the cooler out with the hose. Simple. How To Make The Best Turkey Brine Recipe Ever
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Are The Pros and Cons of a Brine?The greatest benefits of brining are juicy meat, enhanced flavor, and golden crispy skin. A con would be having to think ahead 2-3 days before cooking your turkey, and having to clean a bucket or cooler, twice. However, we believe the pros far outway the cons of brining. How Long Should I Brine A Turkey Before Cooking?This depends on the size of the turkey, and how much salt you add to the brine. The general rule is 1 cup of salt for each gallon of water. Then brine the turkey overnight. However, I find if you add a bit more water you can brine the turkey longer for a better overall bird. I like to brine a large turkey for 3 days. What Happens If You Brine A Turkey Too Long?If a turkey is left in the brine too long it will absorb too much salt. Therefore, I usually make sure I add more water than traditionally recommended. Does Turkey Need Any Seasoning After Brining?No additional seasoning is needed after brining! It’s perfectly seasoned from the skin down to the bone. Can I Add Extra Ingredients to the Brine?Of course! Consider adding in apple juice or apple cider, lemons, baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, additional fresh herbs, or even a splash of bourbon or brandy. Can I Take The Turkey Straight Out Of The Brine And Put It In The Oven?Technically, yes. However, for the best golden-brown crispy skin, you should allow the turkey to dry thoroughly before placing it in the oven. Then butter or oil the skin to improve the texture even more. Will the Pan Drippings Be Too Salty to Make Gravy?Not if you don’t keep the turkey in the brine too long. If you taste the turkey drippings and feel they are overly salty for turkey gravy, you can thin them out with low-sodium turkey broth, or even water. Dry Brine vs Wet Brine?Dry brining is a method of covering a turkey (or chicken) in a thick layer of salt, without the water. With this preparation, the salt pulls the turkey juices to the surface, fuses with them, and releases them back into the turkey. Yes, a dry brine does offer a little less clean-up than wet brining, and gives the turkey greater flavor and moisture than no brining at all. But in my humble opinion, it is still not as effective as a traditional wet brine. Wet brines allow you to infuse much more flavor than just salt. You’re flavoring the turkey with a touch of sweetness, fragrant herbs, and spices. Plus, the liquid is able to work its way inside all the nooks and crannies of the turkey much better than a dry brine. We’ve tried both methods, and although a dry brine is better than no brine, I would go with a wet brine every single time! You can also brine a whole chicken for amazing flavor. More Delicious Recipes For The Holidays
Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, protein, sodium, and fiber percentages. Best Turkey Brine RecipeThe Best Turkey Brine Recipe – A simple blend of salt, sugar, and spices to create the most moist and flavorful turkey you’ve ever made! Servings: 20
If you plan to brine a large turkey for more than 24-48 hours, use 2-3 gallons of water per 1 cup salt, to make sure the turkey doesn’t over-season. Calories: 95kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 5675mg, Potassium: 62mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 30IU, Vitamin C: 1.2mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 0.5mg Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking! Should you brine turkey before roasting?Should I Brine My Turkey? Brining a turkey is totally optional. If you're short on time or just want the most straight-forward method to roast a turkey, skip the brining step and just use the Simple Roasted Turkey method. Some people swear that brining yields the most tender, juicy meat, but it takes planning ahead.
How long do you brine a turkey before cooking?Keep the Turkey Cold and Let It Brine for 8 to 18 Hours
Pop the turkey into the fridge and let it brine for at least 8 hours (and up to 18 hours). Just don't leave the turkey in the brine for longer than recommended—over-brining can render the bird too salty and turn the texture spongy.
Do you wash the brine off the turkey before cooking?After brining, rinse the turkey thoroughly under cold water for a few minutes. Take the brined turkey out of the brining bag or pot (or whatever vessel you set it in for brining), then discard the brine and set the turkey in a clean sink.
What is the best way to brine?For a traditional brine, all you need is water, salt and a little time—that's it; you barely even need a recipe. I like using 1 tablespoon of kosher salt for every cup of water. For smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or pork chops, 4 cups of water will be sufficient to cover the meat completely.
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