Turkey Brine Recipe

The secret to the juiciest turkey is the brine. This simple turkey brine recipe will help you serve up a wonderful highlight to your holiday feast. To make thanksgiving extra simple, you can also brine your frozen turkey – skipping the multiple days thawing!

This turkey brine recipe is simple and adds so much flavor to the turkey. It truly is simple, there is nothing to cook (until it’s time to cook the turkey) so there is no time to wait for it to cool.

If you have a frozen turkey, brining also allows you to skip the extra step of thawing. You can simply clean the outside of the bird and put it into the brine frozen. Brining a frozen turkey will take around 48 hours to complete since it is thawing at the same time. Make sure to rinse the turkey afterward to avoid overly salty drippings (it will ruin the gravy)

Ingredients

Salt – It is important to use kosher salt or sea salt NOT table salt.

Sugar – This recipe uses brown sugar, but white sugar can be substituted

Garlic

Whole black peppercorns

Rosemary – fresh or dried

Thyme – fresh or dried

Equipment

Food grade 5 gallon bucket (or food grade brining bucket liners)

Measuring cups & spoons

Large spoon

Large cooler or tote

Ice

How to Brine a Turkey

Rinse and clean the turkey of any organs, feathers, timers, etc. Place the salt, sugar, and spices in a 5 gallon food grade bucket.

Add 8 c of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt and sugar.

Place the turkey in the the bucket and add the remaining 1 1/2 gallons of cold water to cover the turkey.

Place the lid on the bucket and allow to brine in a large cooler filled with ice or a refrigerator if you have room (if you have room for a 5 gallon bucket).

If you don’t have a large cooler, you can also place the bucket in a large heavy duty tote and surround it with ice. If you are not using a refrigerator, you MUST make sure to monitor the ice and refill it if necessary to ensure it stays at a safe temperature.

Allow the turkey to chill in the brine for 12-24 hours. You can allow it to brine for longer, but it will be a bit saltier. Do not brine for over 48 hours as it will be too salty.

Remove from brine, rinse, and pat dry.

Bake according to the size of your turkey. I recommend to bake at 425℉ for the first 30 minutes and reduce the temperature to 325℉ for the remainder of the time required to reach an internal temperature of 165℉. After reducing the temperature to 325℉, “tent” or loosely cover the turkey with foil to prevent any overcooking of the skin.

For full recipe and cooking directions, see my recipe for Roasted Turkey here.

Allow turkey to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Turkey Brine Recipe

A simple recipe for a juicy and delicious turkey that is sure to please a crowd.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

2 days d

Course Main Course

Servings 8

Equipment

• 1 5 gallon food grade bucket with lid
• Large cooler
• Ice

Ingredients

  

• 1 Turkey
• 1½ c kosher salt or 1 c sea salt
• ⅓ brown sugar
• 5 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns, whole
• 1 tbsp rosemary, dried
• 5 sprigs thyme, fresh or 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 8 c warm water
• 1½ gal cold water

Instructions

 

• Clean the turkey by rinsing, removing any organs, timers, etc.
• Add salt, sugar, and spices to the 5 gallon bucket.
• Add warm water and stir to dissolve salt and sugar.
• Place turkey in the bucket and cover with remaining cold water until the turkey is fully submerged.
• Place lid on the bucket and allow to brine in a large cooler filled with ice, or a refrigerator (if you have room for a 5 gallon bucket).
• Allow turkey to brine for a minimum of 12 hours and no longer than 48 hours.
• Remove from brine, rinse, and pat dry.
• Bake according to the size of your turkey. I recommend to bake at 425℉ for the first 15 minutes and reduce the temperature to 325℉ for the remainder of the time required to reach an internal temperature of 165℉. During the last hour of cooking I like to "tent" or loosely cover the turkey with foil to prevent any overcooking of the skin.
• Allow the turkey to rest for at least 15 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!

Keyword brine, holiday recipies, thanksgiving, turkey

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