Brined Thanksgiving Turkey

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd can be a little intimidating and overwhelming. The one thing I think most people fear is having a turkey that is dry and overcooked. I discovered that brining your turkey can help to keep it tender and moist.  I think what scared me the most when I first learned about brining was the idea of submerging the turkey in salt water.  I was worried the turkey would be super salty. The truth is, it’s not salty at all! The salt works as a tenderizer and helps keep the turkey tender and juicy. Keep scrolling to see my tips on brining a turkey!

You still have to be careful not to overcook the turkey or it can be tough and dry, but brining and using a reliable thermometer increases your chances of having a moist turkey to serve to your guests.

The turkey needs to reach 165 degrees to be fully cooked and safe to eat. Insert the thermometer into the deepest part of the breast to get an accurate reading. If you’re stuffing the turkey, make sure the stuffing inside the turkey also reaches 165 degrees to avoid food poisoning. The last thing anyone wants is to make their guests sick!

Brined Thanksgiving Turkey

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 15 people

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups Apple Juice or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 2 tbsp Fresh Rosemary
• 3 cloves Rough Chopped Garlic
• 1 1/2 cups Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 tbsp Whole Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
• 3 large Oranges Cut into quarters or slices
• 4 tbsp Butter
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and allow to cool for 2 hours.
  
• Wash the turkey with cold water and remove the giblets and neck. (Save the neck to be used in making the homemade turkey stock for gravy and stuffing).
• Place uncooked turkey in a large bucket or cooler and cover with the brine, then refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours. The turkey should be mostly thawed or fresh.
• If you use a cooler, add a large amount of ice to keep the water cold and set the cooler in a cool place like a garage or outside. Make sure to close the lid. If using a bucket, keep it in the refrigerator or cold garage.  Add some ice to keep it cold and keep it covered. 
• When turkey is done brining, remove and wash well with cold water. Pat dry, then rub the butter all over the turkey and season with salt and pepper to your taste. You can add other seasonings and herbs according to your taste.
• Bake at 325 degrees uncovered in a roasting pan until the middle part of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees. The turkey packaging will usually tell you approximately how many minutes per pound you should cook the turkey but using a thermometer will keep the turkey from being undercooked or overcooked.  
• When the turkey has reached the correct temperature, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.  
• I used a 15-pound turkey for this recipe but it should work for any size.  Just be sure that the whole turkey is submerged.  You may have to add a little more water.

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo,

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