Best Turkey Brine Recipe

Brining a turkey is an important step to enhance flavor and moisture. This brine will help make your turkey more moist, which will help make the meat more tender. Brining also helps the turkey stay moist even if you accidently overcook it. This brine will ensure your turkey is tender and flavorful.

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Tools needed to make turkey brine:

• Food grade 5 gallon bucket
• 8 quart stock pot

Turkey Brine Ingredients

• 2 gallons of water
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 1/2 Cups of kosher salt
• 5 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 1 orange sliced
• 1 lemon sliced
• 2 Tablespoons peppercorns

How to Brine a Turkey

In an 8 quart stock pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Add the peppercorns, garlic and rosemary. Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes. Pour the remaining water, and cider into the 5 gallon food grade bucket. Add the salty water and remaining brine ingredients. Place the turkey into the brine. Put the bucket in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.

When ready to cook the turkey remove it from the bucket, pat dry and prepare as desired. Now it is time to roast or smoke your turkey.

How long do you need to thaw a turkey?

Generally plan on 1 day for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. Your turkey is still safe to cook for 2 more days after fully thawed, so plan to thaw it one day early if you plan to brine your turkey.

Printable Turkey Brine Recipe

Recipe By Kristin

Course: Dinner Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 gallons of water

2. 2 cups apple cider

3. 1 1/2 Cups of kosher salt

4. 5 garlic cloves, smashed

5. 2 sprigs of rosemary

6. 1 orange sliced

7. 1 lemon sliced

8. 2 Tablespoons peppercorns

DIRECTION

1. In an 8 quart stock pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Add the peppercorns, garlic and rosemary. Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes. Pour the remaining water, and cider into the 5 gallon food grade bucket. Add the salty water and remaining brine ingredients. Place the turkey into the brine. Put the bucket in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. When ready to cook the turkey remove it from the bucket, pat dry and prepare as desired. Now it is time to roast or smoke your turkey.

NOTES

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