Best Turkey Brine Recipe

The best turkey brine recipe and step-by-step instructions for how to brine a turkey for roasting, smoking or frying.

recipe
About Recipe
Best Turkey Brine Recipe

The best turkey brine recipe and step-by-step instructions for how to brine a turkey for roasting, smoking or frying.

Ingredients :
  • 12 pound turkey
  • 16 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 yellow onion , cut into quarters
  • 2 sprigs fresh oregano
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 5 garlic cloves , lightly smashed
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 dried bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup coarse kosher salt
  • 4 cups Ice
  • Optional Add-Ins
  • Orange Zest or Orange Slices
  • Lemon Zest or Lemon Slices
  • Carrots , cut into slices
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Celery , cut into small pieces
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Cloves
  • Star Anise Pods
  • Nutmeg
  • Apple Juice or Apple Cider
Directions :
  1. Remove the plastic wrap, gizzard and neck. Rinse the turkey well with cold water and place into whatever vessel you are brining it in. Make sure you have enough space to place whatever you use into the refrigerator.

  2. Bring 16 cups of water to a rapid boil in a large stock pot. Whisk in the paprika, chile powder, garlic powder, onion, oregano, thyme, garlic cloves, brown sugar, bay leaves and kosher salt. Also add any optional add-ins you might want. Continue to boil for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat, allow to cool slightly (approximately 10-15 minutes) then add 4 cups of ice.

  3. When the brine has reached room temperature carefully pour into brining bag (or whatever you are using to place it into the fridge) with turkey (this is a two person job.) Tightly pull bag up around the turkey, forcing the brine to fully encase the bird. Twist the top around a few times and then tie tightly with twine. The whole bird should be submerged in liquid. Place in refrigerator for 24 hours. *

  4. Remove from brine and rinse with cold water. Pat dry and then prepare your turkey according to desired recipe.

  5. If you've tried this recipe, come back and give it a rating and tell us how it was in the comments or ratings.