With a little extra preparation, your Thanksgiving turkey will come out tender and flavorful.
Even the simplest brine coaxes flavor from and add moisture to a reluctant turkey.
Learn how to brine a turkey.
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What Should You Brine Your Turkey In?
Turkeys can be big, and there aren’t a lot of vessels that make brining a turkey easy!
Add ice to ensure the turkey stays at or below 40F throughout the process.
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How Long Should You Brine Turkey?
What Is the Formula for Brine?
Generally, use about 1 cup of kosher salt and 1 cup of sugar per gallon of water.
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An 8- to 12-pound turkey will likely require two gallons of water to fully submerge the bird.
Should You Rest Your Turkey After Brining?
This will help the skin crisp as it roasts.
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How to Brine a Raw Turkey
Step 1.
Remember that you may add aromatics like peppercorns, bay leaves, or citrus for flavor in the brine.
Allow the solution to cool completely.
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Rob Culpepper, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Assistant Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Step 2.
Prepare and submerge the turkey
Unwrap your turkey, and remove the giblets.
Pour the cooled brine mixture over the turkey, covering it completely.
Step 3.
Cover the bird with bags of ice to keep it cold and weighted down.
Step 4.
Prepare to roast
Remove the turkey from the brine, and pat it dry with paper towels.
Clean your sink thoroughly after doing this step to avoid cross-contamination.
