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Ultimate Easy Turkey Brine Recipe
Discover the ultimate easy turkey brine recipe for a juicy, flavorful turkey. Learn tips for wet brining with fresh herbs, bay leaves, and citrus for perfect results.
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Equipment
- Large Food-Grade Container or brining bag
Ingredients
- 2 gallons water
- 1 ½ cups kosher salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium orange cut into wheels
- 1 large lemon cut into wheels
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 2 Bay Leaves
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients:
- Gather all the ingredients listed for your turkey brine.
Mix the Brine:
- In a large, food-grade container or bucket, combine the water, kosher salt, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, orange and lemon wheels, fresh thyme, ground black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir well to dissolve the salt and sugar.
Submerge the Turkey:
- Place the turkey into the container, ensuring it is fully submerged in the brine. Use a plate or other weight to keep the turkey submerged, if needed.
Refrigerate and Soak:
- Cover the container and refrigerate for 48 hours, allowing the turkey to absorb the flavors and moisture.
Prepare for Cooking:
- After brining, remove the turkey from the brine. Pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Proceed with smoking or roasting as desired.
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.