Simple Turkey Brine

This simple Turkey Brine is the easiest way to ensure that the turkey is perfectly juicy! You only need 7 simple ingredients to make it.

Use this brine to make the best Thanksgiving turkey! Serve it with turkey gravy and classic stuffing for your holiday dinner.

Brining is a simple technique of soaking the turkey in a salty solution. It will change your turkey game this holiday season! With just a few simple ingredients, like water, salt, sugar, herbs, citrus, and garlic, you can make a brine to soak the bird the night before roasting. It will ensure the turkey is juicy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:

• water
• salt: I used sea salt
• brown sugar: it helps to trap moisture in the meat and ensures better browning
• black pepper: whole peppercorns
• lemon or orange: cut into thick slices
• garlic: whole bulbs
• herbs: poultry mix (rosemary, thyme, sage)

How to make Turkey Brine from scratch?

• Start by combining 1 quart of the water with salt and sugar, in a medium saucepan.
• Bring it to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add remaining ingredients. Cool completely.
• Place turkey in a very large pot and pour the brine over it.
• Cover the pot and place it in the fridge.
• Chill for 12 to 18 hours.

How long should you brine the turkey?

The time recommended for brining a turkey is between 12 to 18 hours. If you plan right, you can brine the turkey overnight and cook the next day.

Should I rinse the turkey after brining?

Nope, there is no need to rinse the bird. Make sure you pour the solution out of the cavity and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Season with oil and seasoning mix and roast in the oven.

Best tips:

• The biggest issue you will run into while making turkey brine is to find a pot large enough to fit the bird and the brine. My turkey was 14lbs and I used an 8-quart stockpot. You can see the tips of the legs are sticking out. That is okay.
• You can use this brine to soak turkey breast too!
• Make sure the turkey you buy is not injected with saline solution. Avoid enhanced or self-basting birds as they already have been brined.
• Make sure all the meaty parts of the turkey are submerged in the brine. The bones of the legs can stick out.
• Use fresh herbs if possible.
• No need to discard the onion and garlic after brining. Place it in the turkey roaster along with the bird to cook.

More Thanksgiving recipes:

• Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
• Turkey Gravy
• Thanksgiving Turkey
• How to Carve a Turkey
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
• Cranberry Relish
• Pecan Pie

For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Holiday category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

Turkey Brine Recipe

Author: Anna

This simple Turkey Brine is the easiest way to ensure that the turkey is perfectly juicy! You only need 7 simple ingredients to make it. Use this brine to make the best Thanksgiving turkey!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 7 mins

brining time 12 hrs

Total Time 12 hrs 12 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 1 serving

Calories 515 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 4 quarts water
• 3/4 cup sea salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 lemon cut into thick slices
• 2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
• 2 garlic bulbs slices in half lengthwise
• 5 sage leaves
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 bunches of thyme

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan, combine 1 quart of the water with salt and sugar. Stir well.
• Bring it to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often to make sure the salt is dissolved.
• Remove the mixture from heat.
• Add remaining ingredients: lemon, peppercorns, garlic and herbs. Cool completely.
• Place turkey in a very large pot and pour the brine over it.
• Cover the pot and place it in the fridge.
• Chill for 12 to 18 hours.
• When ready, remove the turkey from brine, making sure to drain the cavity too.
• Save the garlic, lemon slices and herbs for roasting.

Notes

• My turkey was 14 lbs and I used an 8-quart stockpot for soaking.
• The nutrition value is for the whole brine solution.
• Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 85108mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 110g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 385mg | Iron: 5mg

Keyword turkey brine

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