There is some controversy for sure surrounding brining or not brining a Thanksgiving Turkey. For me, I have made tens (maybe hundreds!) of turkeys over the years, and I think that if you have the time to brine your turkey, it’s worth it. Bringing turkeys isn’t hard. The extra, easy step of brining your turkey makes it the absolute juiciest! Brining using this wet brining method is only appropriate for fresh turkeys that aren’t already “pre-brined” or “self-brining”, so be sure to check your packaging for the details on your specific bird. You want to find a turkey labeled “Natural” if you plan to brine it. Get ready! I’m about to share all of my tips and tricks to make the best turkey brine. You’ll be amazed at what this simple wet brine brings to the Thanksgiving table. Want to make your turkey a different way? I have recipes for Smoked Turkey, Grilled Turkey, Oven Roasted Turkey, Instant Pot Turkey, and Spatchcock Turkey too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Best Turkey Brine Ingredients
Nothing very fancy is needed to make the most amazing turkey brine ever. Simple herbs and pantry ingredients do the trick. Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Water: This wet brine starts with a total of two gallons of water. This will make enough to brine a large turkey. Brown Sugar: Sugar is what makes a brined turkey especially delicious. Brown sugar adds an extra bit of molasses flavor that I really love. Salt: Brining turkeys requires salt, and a good amount of it. 1 cup of regular table salt goes into this turkey brine. Seasonings: Here is where the flavor magic happens! We’re adding fresh garlic cloves, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, and sliced oranges.
How to Make Turkey Brine
Making the best turkey brine is as easy as mixing all of the ingredients together and heating them up to dissolve the salt and sugar.
Substitutions
Change the liquid: Fruit juice (orange or apple) can be used to replace some of the water. Use other citrus: Lemon slices are good in place of or in addition to the orange slices. Herbs: If you can’t find fresh herbs, you can use dried instead. You can also leave the herbs out entirely if you prefer.
Choose Your Turkey Brining Vessel
You might be wondering, where am I going to put this turkey to brine it? It’s ok, you have options. Whatever container you choose, be sure that you’ll be able to fit it in your refrigerator, or otherwise keep it at or below 40°F/4°C. This brine recipe for turkeys makes 2 gallons, and you’ll also need space for the turkey itself, so a large vessel will be needed. Brine in a Bucket – Use a clean (new, if possible) 5 gallon/19 liter bucket to brine your turkey. In quarts, you will want at least a 22 quart sized container. It will give you plenty of room for your brine and a large turkey. Need to buy a bucket? I suggest getting a food grade container such as a Cambro container (these are squared, which I like), or a bucket made specifically for brining. For easy clean-up, line the bucket with a food-safe bag. Brine in a Turkey Brining Bag – These bags are really convenient, and allow you to brine the turkey in your roasting pan. You can usually find these at the grocery store around thanksgiving time, or you can get some here. You can choose a bag that seals with a tied knot or twist tie, or one with a zip top. Brine in an Insulated Cooler – This method is a bit more tricky, but useful to know, especially if fridge space is a concern. You’ll need to ensure that the turkey will stay at a safe temperature for the duration of the brine time. With this method, you should use a brining bag (see above) and seal the turkey well inside of it. Then fill the cooler with ice. Only open the cooler to check the temperature. A standard size cooler with 15 pounds or so of ice should stay cold for 12 hours.
How to Brine a Turkey
What Sides to Serve with Turkey
Get ready for the best Thanksgiving Dinner ever! I have lots of thanksgiving side dish recipes for you to choose from, and here are my favorites. Mashed Potatoes that are made in the Crockpot. I love this recipe because it frees up the oven for the turkey! Green Bean Casserole or Crockpot Green Bean Casserole, a must for your holiday dinner. Classic Stuffing or Sausage Stuffing, choose your favorite! Cranberry Sauce and Gravy. Creamed Corn for something different. I’m here to help if you need more tips or ideas for making Thanksgiving dinner! Leave a comment with any questions, and be sure to pin this recipe so you aren’t searching for it on the big Turkey Day. © Little Sunny Kitchen
