Turkey Brine Recipe
Plan ahead this holiday and make this Best Turkey Brine Recipe for a juicy and flavorful turkey that everyone will love.
Servings: 1 (enough for a 12-16 lb turkey)
Ingredients
- 16 cups cold water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine 4 cups of the water with the salt, granulated sugar, and honey. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the salt and sugars dissolve completely.
- Remove from heat and add the peppercorns, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves.
- Add the remaining 12 cups of cold water. Stir and let the brine cool completely.
- Place the turkey in a large brining bag or a container large enough to hold the turkey and brine.
- Pour the cooled brine over the turkey, making sure it's completely submerged.
- Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
- Before cooking, remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it thoroughly under cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Discard the brine after use.
Notes
Don't skip rinsing the turkey after brining. This removes excess salt from the surface.
Pat Dry: Make sure to pat the turkey very dry after rinsing.
This helps achieve crispy skin when roasting. If you're using table salt instead of kosher salt, reduce the amount to 3/4 cup.
Nutrition
Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 177g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 113370mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 169g | Vitamin A: 149IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 5mg
