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5.0 from 468 votes

Turkey Brine Recipe

This turkey brine recipe is flavored with apple, citrus, brown sugar, rosemary and spices. It's the perfect way to guarantee a moist and flavorful turkey every time!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
13 mins
Servings: 30
Calories: 43 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider DO NOT use apple cider vinegar
  • 2 gallons cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 5 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 tablespoons peppercorns
  • 2 oranges thinly sliced
  • 2 lemons thinly sliced
  • 5 rosemary sprigs
  • 3 bay leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place all the ingredients in a large pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
  2. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until salt and sugar have dissolved. 
  3. Turn off the heat. Let the brine mixture cool.
  4. Place a whole turkey in the brine solution to fully submerge it, then refrigerate for 18-24 hours. If your turkey does not fit into the pot, place the turkey and the brine into a brining bag.
  5. When you're ready to cook your turkey, remove it from the brine and rinse with cool water; pat dry with paper towels. 
  6. Proceed with your normal turkey roasting method, or I've listed my favorite turkey recipes below in the notes section.

Notes

  • Here are my favorite turkey recipes to pair with this brine
  • Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
  • Roasted Turkey Breast
  • Smoked Turkey
  • Herb Roasted Turkey
  • Make sure you use kosher salt. Table salt is denser than kosher salt and doesn't measure the same way.
  • You want to make sure you put your turkey into a cool brine; never put a turkey in a hot or warm brine.
  • Be sure to use apple cider the drink, do NOT use apple cider vinegar! If you can't find apple cider, apple juice will work fine.

Nutrition Information

Calories 43kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Sodium 561mg (23%) Potassium 62mg (2%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 25IU (1%) Vitamin C 8.7mg (10%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 43

% Daily Value*

Calories 43kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Sodium 561mg 23%
Potassium 62mg 1%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 25IU 1%
Vitamin C 8.7mg 10%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.