Turkey Brine
This Turkey Brine recipe made with salt, oranges, bay leaves, cinnamon, brown sugar, and black pepper will add moisture, tenderness, and flavor to your turkey. Brine turkey for 12 to 24 hours for the most amazing turkey for your holiday gathering!
The Path to the Best Holiday Turkey
This Turkey Brine recipe will ensure that you have a top-notch turkey when it comes to tenderness and flavor. Whether you’re making just a breast or a full bird, you’ll want to brine it with this recipe!
Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and it’s time to start thinking about the menu, timetable, and so much more. Don’t forget to order your turkeys now from your local butcher!
A brine, while a simple prep method, does require a fair amount of inactive time and is something that needs to be started the day before.
Why Should You Brine Turkey
Water: Keeps the turkey moist by penetrating the meat over a long period of time
Salt & Sugar: Breaks down the connective tissues, yielding a softer meat. These also add flavor.
Spices, Herbs, & Produce: A basic brine only uses water, sugar, and salt. But for more festive occasions, I like to add additional flavors through these additions
Turkey Brine Ingredients
This Turkey Brine is made with water, light brown sugar (you could use dark too), kosher salt, oranges, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and black peppercorns.
How To Brine A Turkey
1. In a large stockpot, you’ll begin with water, sugar, and salt in a large pot, cooking over high heat until the sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Next, you’ll add in the herbs and spices: cinnamon, oranges, bay leaves, and black peppercorns and bring to a boil.
3. Then, let the mixture cool to room temperature.
4. Add your turkey to the stockpot with the brine and add cold water to the pot to submerge the turkey. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
5. Remove the turkey from brine and pat the turkey dry with paper towels before cooking.
More Turkey Recipes
- Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe From Drippings – Savory, smooth gravy!
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast – Smoky, sweet flavor in every bite!
- Smoked Turkey Legs – Mouthwatering meat cooked to perfection on the smoker!
- Best Butter Injection for Turkey – Simple recipe and instructions for the BEST Thanksgiving turkey!
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe – An herb-infused butter that takes just 5 minutes to prep!
Steps
In a large stockpot, heat the water, salt, and light brown sugar over high heat until the salt and sugar dissolve.
Add in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Once a rolling boil is reached, turn off the heat and allow the mixture to come to room temperature.
Add in the meat and add additional water if needed to fully submerge the turkey.
Refrigerate the brining turkey for 12 to 24 hours before cooking.
Notes
- This is a base brine for a 5 to 15lb piece of meat, double it for a larger bird.
Nutrition
- Calories298
- Carbs78g
- Protein1g
- Fiber8g
- Sugar65g
- Sodium56792mg
Estimates per serving, when a serving size is listed.
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