Description
The Best Turkey Brine Recipe will transform your holiday turkey into a juicy, flavor-packed centerpiece. This simple yet effective brine infuses the meat with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs while ensuring a beautifully crispy skin. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special gathering, this foolproof recipe guarantees restaurant-quality results that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon cold water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine cold water, kosher salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, rosemary, and thyme. Heat over medium until dissolved.
- Remove from heat; add smashed garlic and lemon zest. Allow to cool completely.
- Submerge the turkey in the cooled brine, ensuring it is fully covered. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- After brining, rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry before roasting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: Variable depending on turkey size
- Category: Main
- Method: Brining
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked turkey
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg