Annie's Turkey Brine

Annie's Turkey Brine
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins
  • COOK TIME
    5 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    45 mins
  • SERVING
    1 People
  • VIEWS
    18

Infuse your Thanksgiving centerpiece with unparalleled flavor. This brine balances sweetness, saltiness, and aromatic herbs for a deeply savory and succulent turkey that will be the star of your holiday feast.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    622 g
  • Fiber
    16 g
  • Protein
    6 g
  • Saturated Fat
    1 g
  • Sodium
    486 mg
  • Sugar
    575 g
  • Fat
    3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
10 mins

In a large stockpot, combine the water, apple cider, brown sugar, orange slices, salt, celery, rosemary, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme.

02

Step
5 mins

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve completely. (Approximately 10 minutes)

03

Step
2 hrs

Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

04

Step
4 hrs

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the brine to cool completely to room temperature. (Approximately 2-3 hours)

05

Step

Once cooled, refrigerate the brine until it is thoroughly chilled before using it to brine your turkey. (Minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight)

For best results, use a brining bag or food-grade container large enough to fully submerge the turkey in the brine. Ensure the turkey remains refrigerated during the brining process.
Brining time will vary depending on the size of your turkey. A general guideline is 1 hour per pound. Do not over-brine, as it can result in an overly salty bird.
Before roasting, remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it thoroughly under cold water, and pat it completely dry with paper towels. This will help the skin crisp up during roasting.
Consider adding other aromatics to the brine, such as peppercorns, juniper berries, or allspice, to customize the flavor profile.

Estelle Lubowitz

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.8/ 5 ( 6 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (3)
  • Ellis Koss

    Be careful not to over-brine! I followed the recipe exactly, but my turkey was a little too salty. Next time, I'll reduce the brining time by a couple of hours.

  • Brandt Leannon

    I added a few sprigs of fresh sage to the brine, and it was fantastic. The subtle sweetness of the cider paired perfectly with the herbs.

  • Abigale Robel

    This brine was amazing! My turkey was so moist and flavorful. Definitely a new Thanksgiving tradition!

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