4.4 from 1,542 votes
Turkey Brine Recipe
The best turkey brine recipe and step-by-step instructions for how to brine a turkey for roasting, smoking or frying.
Prep Time
2 hrs
Additional Time
1 d 9 hrs 20 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 579 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 12 pound turkey
- 16 cups water
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 yellow onion , cut into quarters
- 2 prigs fresh oregano
- 2 prigs fresh thyme
- 5 garlic cloves , lightly smashed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 dried bay leaves
- 3/4 cup coarse kosher salt
- 4 cups ice
Optional Add-Ins
- Orange Zest or Orange Slices
- Lemon Zest or Lemon Slices
- carrots , cut into slices
- fresh parsley
- celery , cut into small pieces
- cinnamon sticks
- cloves
- star anise pods
- nutmeg
- apple juice or apple cider
Instructions
- Remove the plastic wrap, gizzard and neck. Rinse the turkey well with cold water and place into whatever vessel you are brining it in. Make sure you have enough space to place whatever you use into the refrigerator.
- Bring 16 cups of water to a rapid boil in a large stock pot. Whisk in the paprika, chile powder, garlic powder, onion, oregano, thyme, garlic cloves, brown sugar, bay leaves and kosher salt. Also add any optional add-ins you might want. Continue to boil for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat, allow to cool slightly (approximately 10-15 minutes) then add 4 cups of ice.
- When the brine has reached room temperature carefully pour into brining bag (or whatever you are using to place it into the fridge) with turkey (this is a two person job.) Tightly pull bag up around the turkey, forcing the brine to fully encase the bird. Twist the top around a few times and then tie tightly with twine. The whole bird should be submerged in liquid. Place in refrigerator for 24 hours. *
- Remove from brine and rinse with cold water. Pat dry and then prepare your turkey according to desired recipe.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and give it a rating and tell us how it was in the comments or ratings.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If the brine will not completely embrace the turkey you can rig it with other items. I used a small cup, shot glass and cheese grater to make sure the brine fully encompassed the turkey.
Nutrition Information
Calories
579kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
84g
(168%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
278mg
(93%)
Sodium
8957mg
(373%)
Potassium
936mg
(27%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
810IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
1.6mg
(2%)
Calcium
74mg
(7%)
Iron
3.9mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 579
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 579kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 84g | 168% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 278mg | 93% |
| Sodium | 8957mg | 373% |
| Potassium | 936mg | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 810IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 1.6mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3.9mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.