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brining a whole turkey
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4.58 from 35 votes

Basic Turkey Brine Recipe

A basic turkey brine, or basic poultry brine, to enhance the flavor of turkey.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time1 day
Total Time1 day 3 minutes
Course: Brine, Holiday
Cuisine: American, holiday
Servings: 8 Quarts
Author: Mary Cressler
Cost: $10.00

Equipment

  • Brining Bag or Large Stock Pot

Ingredients

  • 8 quarts water
  • 1 ½ cups kosher salt
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 oranges, quartered
  • 2 lemons, quartered
  • 1 red onion, quartered
  • ¼ cup whole peppercorns
  • 4 dry bay leaves
  • 5 whole dried cloves, (optional)
  • 1 cup Bourbon or Whiskey, (optional, for added flavor)

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot add water, salt, and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt in the water.
  • Add remaining ingredients, squeeze the citrus to add to the flavor and stir.
  • Add 12 - 16 pound turkey to the stock pot and cover. Brine for 24 - 30 hours to maximize flavor.

Video

Notes

Preparation: Be sure to use a thawed turkey. Plan 1 day of thaw for every 4 - 5 pounds of turkey.
Optional Additions: You can keep it basic with the salt, sugar, citrus, and herbs. But we love to add Bourbon and cloves for added flavor. 
Tools (Affiliate Links):
Brining for longer than 36 hours can start to change the texture of the meat. We find 24 hours is ideal for a brine when smoking.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21273mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg
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