Easy Flavorful Turkey Brine
Woohoo, it’s turkey time! 🦃 Let the festivities begin!
If you want to take your Thanksgiving turkey from good to unforgettable, a great turkey brine recipe is the secret ingredient! There are many ways to cook your bird but not matter what brining your turkey can make a world of difference, even if you’re roasting, smoking, grilling or deep-frying it. It’se a super simple and quick technique that guarantees a juicy, moist turkey every single time. Even the turkey skeptics will be impressed!
I’m such a fan of classic roast turkey! While I do enjoy a crispy fried turkey leg now and then, I’ve realized that to get that delicious gravy, I have to baste the turkey and make sure to save all those tasty drippings. I mean, you can’t have mashed potatoes without gravy, right? And let’s talk about leftovers—who doesn’t love those? Some of my absolute favorite leftover meals are a warm turkey and gravy sandwich, a rich buttery turkey pot pie, or a comforting turkey and rice soup. They’re just so tasty!
Before you start brining your turkey, just make sure it’s completely thawed in the fridge. A good rule of thumb is about one day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey. Once it’s ready, don’t forget to remove the giblets – you can save those for later use!
Plan to submerge your turkey in the brine a full day before you roast it. You can even whip up the brine two or three days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge. This flavorful brine is packed with spices, herbs, and zesty citrus, featuring all the wonderful fall ingredients that complement turkey perfectly.
The real magic happens when you coat your turkey before cooking. I love making a delicious spiced herb compound butter and tossing in some extra veggies around the turkey to create a mouthwatering gravy. I really hope you give this recipe a try – it results in such a juicy and delicious turkey every time!
Tools and Tips
- You can use a large stock pot, a bucket, or a large cooler. I prefer using brine bags and a roasting pan to hold the turkey. The turkey pan has handles, making it easier to lift.
- Coarse Kosher salt: I like Morton Coarse Kosher Salt. The flat, flaky crystals dissolve extremely well in water and create a crystal clear brine.
- Peppercorns: Don’t substitute for ground pepper. It won’t be the same. You can use black or tricolor peppercorns.
- Garlic: give it a good smash and throw them in.
- Fresh herbs: The classic holiday blend, sage, rosemary, bay leaves, thyme. Try to get fresh herbs if possible.
- Fruit: I absolutely love the flavors of orange, lemon, and green apple! What’s not to adore about those zesty tastes? I think the citrus fruits would be perfect for adding a little zing and helping with tenderizing too!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and good luck with your bird. I hope it turns out delicious!!!
Easy Flavorful Turkey Brine
Equipment
- 1 Brine bag
Ingredients
- 6 Cups Hot water
- 14 Cups Cold water
- 2 Cups Ice
- 2 Cups Kosher salt
- 1/2 Cup Tri color peppercorns
- 2 Oranges
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Purple onion
- 2 Green apple
- 1 Bunch Sage
- 1 Bunch Rosemary
- 3 Bay leaves
- 1 Bunch Thyme
Instructions
- Bring 6 cups of water to just below the boiling point, then add salt and your chosen seasonings. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Next, add the remaining water, ice, and any additional ingredients to the brine bag.
- Carefully place the turkey into the brine and refrigerate for 12 to 36 hours.