For best results, brine your turkey for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours, in the refrigerator. Make sure your 5-gallon bucket is food-grade and thoroughly cleaned before using. Ensure the turkey is fully submerged in the brine. If necessary, weigh it down with a plate or a sealed bag filled with ice. If you don't have whiskey on hand, you can substitute it with bourbon or leave it out altogether. It adds a nice depth of flavor but isn't essential.
Mighty Fine Turkey Brine
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PREP TIME25 mins
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COOK TIME16 mins
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TOTAL TIME41 mins
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SERVING31 People
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VIEWS12
Unlock the secret to an incredibly juicy and flavorful turkey with this expertly crafted brine. Infused with aromatic fruits, rich brown sugar, and a touch of whiskey, this brine guarantees a succulent bird that's bursting with taste.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate16 g
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Fiber1 g
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Protein0 g
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Sodium9 mg
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Sugar15 g
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Fat0 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
3 mins
In a small saucepan, combine 2 1/2 cups water and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the salt is completely dissolved. (Approximately 3 minutes)
02
Step
1 mins
Pour the hot water and salt mixture into a clean 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 gallon of cold water to help cool the mixture.
03
Step
3 mins
In another small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 1/2 cups water and dark brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved. (Approximately 3 minutes)
04
Step
1 mins
Pour the hot brown sugar mixture into the bucket with the salt water. Stir well to combine.
05
Step
1 mins
Add the apple juice, whiskey, and lemon juice to the bucket. Stir to incorporate all the liquids.
06
Step
1 mins
Add the chopped apple to the brine. Squeeze the juice from the orange quarters into the brine, then add the orange rinds as well. This will impart a lovely citrus aroma. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Please Rate
Charley Beatty
Jun 23, 2025Easy to follow and the turkey was the best I've ever made. The orange and apple notes were delicious.
Kolby Morar
Jun 13, 2025This brine was amazing! My turkey was incredibly moist and flavorful. Will definitely be using this recipe again.
Taurean Pacocha
May 28, 2025I was hesitant to add whiskey, but it made a huge difference! The subtle hint of whiskey was fantastic. Thank you for the great recipe!