Simple Turkey Brine Recipe for Juicy Thanksgiving Bird
Follow this easy turkey brine recipe to ensure your holiday turkey stays moist and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 12 hr 15 min
- Yield: 1 turkey 1x
- Category: Poultry Preparation
- Method: Brining
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 head garlic, halved
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine 4 cups of water, kosher salt, and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the salt and sugar fully dissolve. Do not boil.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the peppercorns, allspice berries, rosemary, and garlic.
- Pour the hot brine mixture into a very large container (larger than your turkey). Add the remaining 12 cups of cold water to cool the brine quickly.
- Once the brine is completely cool (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit), submerge your fully thawed turkey in the brine.
- Cover the container and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. For a 12-pound turkey, 12 hours is sufficient. For larger birds, use the full 24 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine. Rinse the turkey thoroughly inside and out with cold water. Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels before roasting.
Notes
- You must cool the brine completely before adding the turkey to prevent bacterial growth.
- If you do not have a container large enough, you can make a concentrated brine using less water and then add ice to reach the required volume and temperature.
- Patting the skin dry after brining is essential for achieving crispy skin when roasting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup brine
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 3500
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0