I started brining my Thanksgiving turkey a few years ago and haven't looked back. It's my Thanksgiving insurance policy: If I get distracted as I'm making dinner and the turkey overcooks, I know I can still count on the turkey turning out moist and flavorful. Show
Watch How to Make Beginner-Friendly Turkey BrineWhat Is Brining?Brining means making a salt water solution and submerging the turkey for about 24 hours before roasting. This spa treatment helps the turkey retain more moisture during roasting and prevents it from drying out. A brine also gives me a chance to season the turkey with herbs and spices, especially the skin! Sage and citrus is one of my favorite combinations. It's so festive and makes the house smell amazing.
Tips for Brining a TurkeyBrining a turkey is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few key things to keep in mind.
The Basic Brining RatioThe basic brine is a mixture of 4 quarts of water and 1 cup of kosher salt. To this, you can add any herbs, spices, or other seasonings that you like. Ways to Season Your BrineI love the combination of sage and citrus in this brine, though you could swap in any aromatic herbs or spices you like. The flavor they give the meat is fairly subtle, but I feel like the real impact is in the skin. A good, well-seasoned brine gives you some of the best turkey skin you've ever had. Emma ChristensenHow to Make the Turkey BrineMake your brine by bringing 1 quart of water to a boil, dissolving the salt, and then adding in the sage, citrus, and other seasonings. Let this cool slightly, then stir in the rest of the water to bring the brine down to room temperature. Lukewarm is also fine. You just don't want the brine to be piping hot when you pour it over the turkey. If you don't have quite enough brine solution to cover your turkey, just make more at a ratio of 1 quart water to 1/4 cup kosher salt. Let it cool before pouring it over the turkey. How Long to Brine Turkey?Brine your turkey for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the better, but honestly, even a quick brine does wonders for the turkey. If you only have a few hours before it needs to go in the oven, then it's still worth doing. Be sure to keep your turkey covered and refrigerated while brining. How to Cook a Brined TurkeyOnce brined, cook the turkey as usual—just pat it dry and carry on with your recipe! Two notes:
Other Ingredients to Use in Turkey Brine
Making Gravy from Brined BirdsDrippings from brined birds will be saltier than drippings from unbrined birds. Consider that when making gravy. Taste the gravy as you go. You may not need to add any salt to the gravy. If the gravy is too salty, dilute it with unsalted stock or water. How to Store Leftover Turkey BrineWe don't recommend storing and reusing brine that has been used for raw turkey or any other raw bird. However, if you have extra brine that never touched a raw bird, store it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. More Recipes to Use This Brine!Besides brining a whole turkey, you can also use this recipe to brine turkey breasts, turkey legs, or even whole chicken. You need need enough brine to cover the meat. Stick to the basic ratio of 4 quarts of water and 1 cup of kosher salt and scale it up or down as needed. And omit the salting steps in the recipes below.
When buying a turkey for brining, make sure it hasn't already been brined or injected with a saline solution. Organic turkeys are usually a safe bet; turkeys labeled "kosher," "enhanced," or "self-basting," usually have already been brined.
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Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included. How long should you brine a turkey per pound?Turkey Tips
As a rule of thumb, you should brine your turkey 45 to 60 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast 6 lbs?2½- to 3-pound boneless turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 40 to 60 minutes. 4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours. 6- to 8-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 2¼ to 3¼ hours.
How long can you leave turkey breast in brine?Place the container in the refrigerator for the period of time specified in the recipe. The amount of time will depend on the type of brine you use; however, do not brine any longer than two days and always keep the turkey and brine refrigerated (at 40°F or less). Remove turkey from brine after the recommended time.
How long should you brine turkey?Keep the Turkey Cold and Let It Brine for 8 to 18 Hours
Pop the turkey into the fridge and let it brine for at least 8 hours (and up to 18 hours). Just don't leave the turkey in the brine for longer than recommended—over-brining can render the bird too salty and turn the texture spongy.
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