Brining a Turkey

Directions for Preparation In a large saucepan, combine together salt, sugar, juniper berries, allspice berries, black peppercorns and cloves. To this, pour hot water and add thyme, sage and bay leaves. Stir well and heat over medium high heat. Stir constantly until salt and sugar are dissolved totally. Continue boiling for 3 - 4 minutes and remove from heat. Pour iced water to this stock brine solution and wait till it reaches room temperature. Put one large plastic oven bag inside the other to create double thickness. With their mouths open, place the plastic bags in a large bowl. Put turkey in this with the breast side down. Gently, add brine solution into this double thick bag. Then add additional 2 cups of cold water. Secure the neck of the bags, so that there is no brine leakage. If time permits, refrigerate for 12 -24 hours. Turn the turkey during the course of brining. With this recipe, you can brine a turkey that weighs 12 pounds. Best Turkey Brine Recipe Ingredients 1 gallon vegetable stock 1 gallon heavily iced water 1 cup kosher salt 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1½ teaspoons allspice berries 1 tablespoon black peppercorns 1½ teaspoons chopped candied ginger Directions for Preparation This is the best recipe for brining a young turkey, weighing 14 - 16 pounds. In a large stockpot, add vegetable stock, kosher salt, brown sugar, allspice berries, peppercorns and candied sugar. Put it over medium high heat and bring to a boiling temperature. You can stir the mixture with a long handled spatula to ensure complete dissolving of the ingredients. Remove from heat and allow to cool down. As you plan to cook turkey, soak it in brine overnight or whole day. What you can do is take a 5 gallon bucket and combine together brine solution and iced water. Immerse already thawed turkey into this solution, ensuring that the breast part is facing down. Leave it like that in a cool area, or if possible, refrigerate it for at least 8 hours. At the time of cooking, remove turkey from the brine and rinse thoroughly with cold water. For more information, read on: Tips for Cooking a Turkey Turkey Stuffing Recipes Smoked Turkey Recipes