Whether this is your first time cookingThanksgivingdinner or you ’re a old-timer of prepping the holiday repast , it ’s a good melodic theme to remain on top of the ripe ways to deliver the fat , most savoryturkey .
In recent years , brine a Republic of Turkey has emerged as a popular method for bringing out the best look for Thanksgiving . To learn what you need to bonk about the artistry of brining a joker — including how long you should brine it — keep reading .
What is brining a turkey?
brine is essentially the same process as marinating — breed centre in a seasoned liquid — and the goal is to steep moisture and flavor into the bird . The issue ? An fantastically juicy and succulent turkey . You ’ll necessitate a sassy or fully unfreeze turkey ( with the giblet packet removed ) and a non - responsive tub or container made of food - score plastic , stainless sword , or trash that ’s self-aggrandizing enough to whole correspond the bird . you may also use a great plastic brining bag within the container . Keep in nous the container will also need to correspond in your electric refrigerator during the brining process .
The brine itself is a mix of water , salt , and seasonings , which can include onions , ail , herb , and spices . Butterball’ssavory brine recipefeatures soy sauce , dried sage , celery seminal fluid , and more ; for a sweeter selection , try their formula for abrown sugar saltwater .
What are the benefits of brining a turkey?
Many brining buff prefer this method acting for fudge their bomb because it moisten the pith without much effort and make preparing the turkey on Thanksgiving easy . Cooks will still need to check on the meat in the oven on a regular basis , use a inwardness thermometer , androast itto a safe internal temperature . It might even leave more time for upgrade yourThanksgiving side disheswith novel recipes .
How long should you brine a turkey?
According toButterball , a right rule of quarter round is to brine for an hourper pound of turkey . So , if you ’re planning a large meal with a 14 - pound wench , you ’ll require a full 14 hours to brine it . Butterball recommends submerge your Republic of Turkey the night before you project to blackguard it , which will allow enough clip for the hoot to take in moisture .
More Tips and Tricks for Brining a Turkey
When construct the brine on the stove , make indisputable the salinity completely dissolve . The saltwater should also be cool with the add-on of glass water before placing the turkey in the container . You do n’t desire to pour boiling liquidity over a saucy turkey , as that will start the cooking unconscious process .
Make certain you have room in your electric refrigerator before you begin brine ; the turkey will likely require to sit in there overnight . The bird should also remain in full drown in the brine at all times for the juicy meat .
After you ’re done setting up the bomb to brine in the electric refrigerator , follow these crown fromthe USDAto decent sanitise your kitchen . Cross contamination between the sore bomb and other kitchen surfaces can ensue in food poisoning . No one require that on Thanksgiving !
With a minuscule planning forward , you could make a holiday meal that you and your guests will be dreaming about for year to come . And here are some elbow room to practice up those deliciousThanksgiving leftovers .
A version of this story originally ran in 2021 ; it has been updated for 2023 .
