Best Turkey Brine Recipe

 

Have a look at this turkey brine recipe and consider making a turkey brine for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday, where in the US most of us traditionally eat a Turkey dinner.

For those of you who haven’t tried a turkey brine, consider giving it a chance. I was very surprised at the difference in flavor from a typical basted turkey. The turkey was so moist and tender, I couldn’t believe it. We’ve been using this method and turkey brine recipe ever since.
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For those who are interested, here is a delicious turkey brine recipe that we have put together and have been using for the last several years here at the MSB homestead. It will work just as well with chicken too, just less quantities.

OK, so the best turkey brine recipe is subjective, but this one tastes pretty good!

TURKEY BRINE RECIPE

Turkey Brine Recipe Ingredients

• 1 Turkey
• handful fresh thyme branches (3/4 oz package works well)
• handful fresh sage leaves (3/4 oz package works well)
• 5 bay leaves
• 2 heads roughly chopped garlic cloves
• 3 cups kosher salt (“kosher” has bigger crystals that absorb more water)
• 2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 6 lemons, cut into 8ths
• 4 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 jiggers dark rum (optional)
• 1 – 2 gallons apple cider (approximate – see instructions)

Turkey Brine Recipe Instructions

1. In a large pot or large saucepan big enough to hold all of the ingredients, add salt, sugar, and honey.
2. Add 1 gallon apple cider. Slowly heat up the mixture to the point until the salt, sugar, and honey are dissolved. Stir occasionally during the process. The heated mixture typically will become dissolved well before simmer – when it is good and warm. Add more apple cider if the salt is not dissolving enough (so use a bigger pan to allow for additional cider).
3. Let cool to room temperature. It is important NOT to add hot or warm brine with a fresh raw Turkey to avoid beginning the cooking process.
4. Add the rest of the turkey brine ingredients and stir well. Squeeze the lemons into the mixture while adding them.
5. Clean and prepare turkey as you normally would.
6. Double bag two trash bags.
7. If you will brine your turkey in a refrigerator, line a large pot or bucket (be sure that it fits in the fridge!) with the trash bags and place your turkey inside, cavity side up. A 5-gallon bucket works well, if you have a cool enough place to keep it during the brine process.
8. If you will be keeping the turkey in an ice chest (sprinkle adequate ice cubes into the cooler afterward), tie the bottom two corners of the bags together to reduce bottom size of the bags and ensure maximum turkey brine interaction. The point is to find and use a container that will hold the turkey snug and tight enough so all the brine will cover the turkey.
9. Pour the turkey brine into the bags with the turkey, making sure that some of the good stuff gets inside and around the turkey. Tie up the bags, making sure to press out as much air as possible. The idea is for the turkey to be completely immersed in the brine solution, so add more cider if you have enough left over. If not, then flip the turkey part way through the soak for even coverage and soaking.
10. Brine for about 24 hours. If it is cool enough outside (above freezing but below 50 degrees F), then no need to worry about the ice. Keep out of sun.
11. Afterward, remove the turkey, discard the brine ingredients, and cook the turkey as you normally would until internal thigh temperature reaches 165 F.
12. Final step, savor the incredible flavor from this turkey brine recipe!

This Presto Pressure Cooker-Canner makes a perfect pot to fit 2 gallons of turkey brine with a 22 pound turkey as shown in this picture. Afterward, it barely fit at the bottom of our refrigerator. Otherwise I would have used the bag method and cooler, or fit the pot in an ice bucket of sorts, or if cold enough outside (above freezing but below 50 F) I would leave the pot outside in the shade – but covered.

Here is a Turkey Cooking Time chart that may be helpful.
On a side note, this is a great turkey roaster for the price, using it for several years now.
Circulon 16-Inch Rectangular Nonstick Roaster.

This stainless steel roaster looks even better, costs a bit more
Calphalon Stainless 16-Inch Roaster
Here is a recipe book that includes Brine Recipes
Marinades, Rubs, Brines, Cures and Glazes

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