Easy Turkey Brine Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for brine? ›

The basic ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of kosher salt per 1 quart (4 cups) of water. If you are using fine table salt, reduce the amount to 3 tablespoons. Keep in mind, also, that different kosher salt brands vary in how salty they actually are.

Every wet brine starts with this simple salt solution requiring just two ingredients: water and salt. Some cooks add aromatics, herbs, and spices to their brine for a more flavorful turkey, but we'll get to that in a minute.

The basic ratio for a wet turkey brine is to use 2 cups of kosher salt or coarse sea salt for every 2 gallons of water. The benefit of a wet brine is that it can work slightly quicker than a dry brine because it infuses the entire turkey in a salty solution.

Dry-brining is our preferred method for seasoning both large and small pieces of meat, poultry, and sometimes even seafood. Along with producing juicy, flavorful results, dry-brining also helps us get better Maillard browning and crispy skin.

Sugar: This is an optional ingredient and is typically used to balance the saltiness of a brine. Use about 2 tablespoons per quart of liquid. You can decrease that amount if desired, but I wouldn't recommend using any more or it could make the final cooked protein burn easier and taste too sweet.

As a general starting point, take one gallon of water and add 3/4 cup (preferable - but you can use up to a cup) of salt (Kosher is best), 1/2 cup of sugar and then the rest is up to you.

You should always rinse the turkey after wet or dry brining. Once rinsed, you can let the turkey air dry, uncovered, in the refrigerator for several hours, or pat it dry with a paper towel.

Brine your turkey for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the better, but honestly, even a quick brine does wonders for the turkey. If you only have a few hours before it needs to go in the oven, then it's still worth doing. Be sure to keep your turkey covered and refrigerated while brining.

How long should you brine a turkey? Shoot for at least 16 hours but no longer than 24 hours. If you brine it any longer than 24 hours the turkey will be too salty.

Too little salt won't produce an effective brine, and too much will make the turkey salty. If you'd like to add beer or juice for even more flavor, substitute it for some of the ice.

How much salt to brine a turkey per pound? ›

Speaking of Salt, Stick to This Salt-to-Meat Ratio

Whether you're dry brining or wet brining, Youngman says you'll want to use "about a little over a tablespoon of kosher salt to about four pounds of turkey." For a traditional 12- to 14-pound bird, she recommends about 3 1/2 tablespoons of kosher salt.

Add mixture to remaining cold water to quickly cool brine down before pouring over turkey. Soak meat in brine for 1 – 1.5 hrs per pound of turkey, turning turkey once. Rinse turkey after brining to remove excess salt, pat skin dry before cooking.

Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water you used and mix until the salt is completely dissolved. For example, if you are using 1 gallon (16 cups) of water, add 16 tablespoons (1 cup) of salt. Place the meat in the brine and put the whole container in the refrigerator.

Sometimes you'll get the best results if you boil your brine solution before submerging your meat in it. But remember, if you do this you only want to boil half of your solution with your aromatics and spices and not with your salt and sugar.

Continue to roast until internal temperature reaches 165°F. NOTE: A brined turkey cooks slightly faster than an unbrined turkey, so check the internal temperature frequently. Remove turkey from the oven and allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Brine is a solution of salt (Sodium Chloride-NaCl) in water.

Salt brine is a solution of salt (typically sodium chloride) and water. It has a freezing point lower than pure water and, as such, is a useful tool in reducing the adhesion of snow and ice to road surfaces.

A good rule of thumb to follow for a dry brine is at least one hour for a beef steak, chicken or pork and up to 24 hours. Here's why dry brining these smaller cuts of meat makes a difference. If you salted immediately before cooking, the salt will stay on the surface and be part of the crust.

A brine solution is nothing but water and salt dissolved in it. Hydrogen is obtained as a byproduct in the manufacture of sodium hydroxide and chlorine by the electrolysis of brine solution (salt water).