Delicious Turkey Brining Recipe

Turkey Brine Recipe The Recipe Critic from therecipecritic.com

Brining is a great way to make your Thanksgiving turkey extra juicy and delicious. Brining is a process where you soak the turkey in a salt-water solution for several hours, resulting in a much more flavorful turkey. Brining is a simple and easy process that can be done in advance, making it much easier to prepare your turkey on the big day. Here is a delicious turkey brining recipe that will make your turkey the star of your Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need: - 4 cups of kosher salt - 2 gallons of cold water - 1/2 cup of brown sugar - 2 tablespoons of dried thyme - 2 tablespoons of dried sage - 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns - 1/4 cup of minced garlic - 1 large turkey (at least 12 pounds)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine the salt, water, brown sugar, thyme, sage, peppercorns, and garlic. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar have dissolved, about 10 minutes. 2. Remove from heat and let the brine cool to room temperature. 3. Place the turkey in a large container or brining bag, and pour the cooled brine over it. Make sure the turkey is completely submerged in the brine. 4. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator. Let the turkey brine for at least 8 hours, or overnight. 5. Once the turkey has finished brining, remove it from the brine, pat dry with paper towels, and discard the brine. 6. Roast the turkey as desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

One serving (4 ounces) of this brined turkey contains approximately: - 120 calories - 0 grams of fat - 2 grams of carbohydrates - 24 grams of protein - 0 grams of dietary fiber - 1,000 milligrams of sodium

Tips and Tricks

When brining your turkey, it is important to use a large enough container or bag to ensure that the turkey is completely submerged in the brine. If you are using a brining bag, make sure to place it in a large container in case the bag leaks. It is also important to make sure that the brine is completely cooled before adding the turkey, as hot brine can cause the turkey to become overcooked. It is also important to note that brining the turkey the day before will make it easier to prepare on the day of. This will allow you to focus on other dishes, and also allows for more even cooking. When it comes time to roast the turkey, make sure to season it generously with salt and pepper before roasting. This will help to ensure that the turkey is not overly salty from the brining process.

Additional Recipes

If you want to add some additional flavor to your turkey, there are plenty of recipes that can be used in conjunction with the brining process. One of the most popular recipes is a spiced butter that can be applied to the outside of the turkey before roasting. To make the spiced butter, combine 1/2 cup of softened butter with 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, 1 tablespoon of dried sage, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Mix together until fully combined, then rub the mixture over the outside of the turkey before roasting. Another popular recipe is a citrus brine. To make the citrus brine, combine the ingredients from the original recipe with the zest of one orange and one lime. This will add a subtle citrus flavor to the turkey that will really bring out the flavor.

Conclusion

Brining is a great way to make your Thanksgiving turkey extra juicy and flavorful. This delicious turkey brining recipe is easy to make and will make your turkey the star of your Thanksgiving meal. It is also easy to customize the brine to add additional flavor, such as citrus or spices. With a little bit of effort, you can make a delicious, juicy, and flavorful turkey that your family and friends are sure to enjoy.