Easy Turkey Brine Recipe

Additives Apple cider Apple juice Aromatic Bay leaves Brine Brining bag Brining time brown sugar Caramelized crust Cider Citrus zest Cool water Dried herbs Easy Turkey Brine recipe Flavor-infused liquid fresh herbs Fresh rosemary Fresh thyme Garlic Giblets granulated sugar Gravy herbs ingredients Iodine juicy Kosher Salt Lean protein moisture retention Neck Peppercorns Roasting Rosemary Salt Salt solution sea salt Seasoned Smoking Spices Submerge substitutions Sugar tender Thanksgiving thyme Turkey Water

Posted November 7, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

If you’re planning to roast or smoke a turkey this season, our Easy Turkey Brine recipe should be your first step in preparing your holiday meal. Discover the secrets of brining a turkey to achieve a super juicy and tender Thanksgiving star every time! Whether you’re preparing a Juicy Roast Turkey or a Spatchcock Turkey, this turkey brine will work wonders.

A whole turkey submerged in a salty brine with garlic and herbs

What is a Brine?

Brining is the process of soaking your turkey (or chicken, or pork) in a water and salt solution (brine) infused with herbs, sugar, spices, and sometimes even fruit.

Why Brine a Turkey?

Turkey, like chicken and pork, is naturally lean, making it prone to overcooking and drying out in the oven. Brining comes to the rescue by enhancing moisture retention. The salt alters the meat’s protein structure, allowing it to absorb and hold onto flavor-infused liquid.

Best Turkey Brine Recipe

If you’ve never brined a turkey before, you’re in for a treat. This wet brine recipe isn’t part of the cooking process but an additional step to prepare your turkey 12-24 hours before cooking. Soak your turkey in this herbal brine, and you’ll have the most flavorful, tender turkey on your platter. Brining works magic, making your turkey:

Extra flavorful and seasoned throughout
Consistently moist, tender, and juicy
Aromatic – all the fresh herbs infused during soaking are enhanced while roasting in the oven

Pro Tip:

Before adding your bird to the brine, remember to remove the bag of giblets and neck from the turkey’s cavity.

Ingredients

This brine recipe is delightfully simple—just submerge your turkey in seasoned water and add some herbs. For this easy turkey brine recipe, gather these ingredients:

Salt – fine sea salt or kosher salt (preferably without additives or iodine)
Granulated sugar – balances the saltiness and contributes to a golden brown, caramelized crust
Herbs and spices – bay leaves, whole peppercorns, fresh garlic, rosemary, and thyme
Water – cool, not hot, enough to fully submerge your turkey

Ingredients for brining turkey, bay leaf, kosher salt, thyme, rosemary, garlic, peppercorn, sugar