Thanksgiving is just around the corner and this year, consider brining your turkey. This is the best and most flavorful way to cook a turkey and the process is quite simple. A brine is a saltwater solution, often seasoned with herbs, spices, and sweeteners, used to marinate meat for an extended period of time. This process helps to tenderize the meat, infusing it with flavor and keeping it moist during cooking. Not only will a brined turkey be more flavorful and moist than a regular roasted turkey, but it will also be easier to carve. Whether you choose a wet or dry brine, with or without flavorings, or a combination of both, you will enjoy the result.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BEST BRINED TURKEY BREAST
Interested in trying something different for your Thanksgiving turkey? We'll talk you through how to brine a turkey breast so you can set a flavorful, moist and delicious centerpiece on the table! Brined turkey breast needs some extra prep time, but it's so worth it for the juicy results.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 14h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In 6-quart container or stockpot, mix water, salt and sugar; stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add turkey. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
- Heat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from brine, rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry.
- Place onion on center of rack in large shallow roasting pan; top with rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Place turkey, skin side up, over onion and herbs.
- In small bowl, mix butter and wine. Soak 16-inch square of cheesecloth in butter mixture until completely saturated; cover turkey completely with cheesecloth. Roast 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Remove cheesecloth. Place onion and herbs in pan with drippings if using drippings to make gravy (or discard). Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of turkey and does not touch bone. Turn turkey skin side down. Roast 30 to 60 minutes longer or until thermometer reads 165°F.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 360, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 43 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 600 mg
BEST APPLE CIDER BRINED TURKEY
This will be the BEST roasted turkey you've had, hands down! I prefer this over deep fried turkey as it is about as moist and has much more flavor to it. I compliment this turkey by serving giblet gravy, sautéed herbed mushrooms and Apple Wine Stuffing. Before cooking the bird, I typically use a rub with olive oil or melted butter/margarine. I quarter an apple and stuff inside the cavity for cooking, tenting the bird until the last hour.
Provided by CooksInHeels
Categories Whole Turkey
Time 12h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine cider, vinegar, salt, and sugar; stir to dissolve salt and sugar.
- Bring to a low boil over medium heat; Add in peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme and shallots.
- On low heat simmer for 5 minutes; remove from heat, add ice to brine mixture and set aside to cool.
- Remove the turkey from the wrapping, remove neck and giblets (set aside for giblet gravy), rinse and prepare bird by patting down with paper towels.
- Make a collar of the top of cooking bags (helps keep bags open), and slip bird inside, stand it upright (legs pointing up), and unfold the top of the bag.
- Once the brine is cooled to room temperature or less, pour the cooled brine over the bird, and add an additional cold water until bird is submerged in liquid.
- Squeeze out as much air as possible and secure with a twist-tie.
- Place the turkey, breast side down, in a roasting pan and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning over every 6-8 hours.
- Just prior to roasting, remove the turkey from the brine; discard the bags, brine, and all cured herbs, spices, and oranges remaining in the bird.
- Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper toweling.
- The turkey is now ready to be roasted. See cooking times for Brined turkey as it will be less than typical cooking time.
- Before cooking the bird, I typically use a rub with olive oil or melted butter/margarine. I quarter an apple and stuff inside the cavity for cooking, tenting the bird until the last hour. This will be the BEST roasted turkey you've had, hands down! I even prefer this over deep fried turkey as it is about as moist and has much more flavor to it. I compliment this turkey by serving giblet gravy, sautéed herbed mushrooms and Apple Wine Stuffing.
BEST TURKEY EVER!! (BRINED)
My dad has made this turkey for the past 3 years at Thanksgiving. This is my 1st Thanksgiving at home and I plan on doing it as well. The meat comes out completely juicy and its just amazing!!
Provided by Jenninjapan
Categories Whole Turkey
Time 10h
Yield 22 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse turkey in cool water.
- In a very large clean container (non-corrosive pan or stockpot such as stainless steel or glass or a food-grade plastic container), mix salt and water together until salt dissolves. Stir in brown sugar and spices, mix well until sugar dissolves.
- Totally submerge poultry in solution and store, covered, in refrigerator for at least 6 hours and up to 8 hours. Since brining does not preserve meat, the turkey must be kept below 40 degrees F throughout the entire brining process. Ice packs may also be used to keep turkey at a safe temperature of below 40°F.
- Remove turkey from brine. Discard brine. Thoroughly rinse turkey under a slow stream of cool water, rubbing gently to release salt and sugar, both inside and out. Pat skin and both interior cavities dry.
- * NOTE: The ratio of water to salt is appropriate for a 15-pound turkey. If a larger or smaller turkey is brined, please calculate accordingly.
- * *NOTE: Other combinations of herbs may be added including 6-8 bay leaves, 3 cloves garlic and 2 teaspoons black peppercorns. Or a spicy flavor may be achieved by the addition of 1 cup small dried red chile peppers.
- In the cavity of turkey, place onion, carrot and celery.
- Brush turkey with melted butter.
- Roast turkey, breast side down, in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 2 hours. During this time, baste legs and back twice with melted butter.
- Remove turkey from oven and protecting your hands, grasp turkey with several layers of clean paper towels at both ends, and turn turkey, breast side up.
- Return turkey to oven and continue to roast, basting twice with pan dripping. Continue to roast until internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast and 180°F in the thigh. NOTE: A brined turkey cooks slightly faster than an unbrined turkey, so check the internal temperature frequently.
- Remove turkey from the oven and allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.
- Transfer to a platter and garnish with fresh fruit.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 675.8, Fat 27.2, SaturatedFat 8.5, Cholesterol 216, Sodium 10528.7, Carbohydrate 41.4, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 38.8, Protein 63.5
BEST BRINED TURKEY
This is the most moist and juicey turkey I have ever had in my life! I heard about brining turkeys on the food network and just knew I had to try it. So I made this recipe, and did. All I can say is that it's fabulous, and I know you will think so to. Thank you for trying it. ENJOY!
Provided by MizEmerilLagasse
Categories Poultry
Time P1DT4h
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large pot stir together the stock, water, brown sugar, salt, all spice, black pepper, cinnamon, and thyme Bring to a boil, turn to medium heat and let simmer for 5 minutes Remove from heat and cool completely, no cheating now!
- Place the turkey in a clean 5 gallon bucket and pour the brine over it Cover and let sit over night Flip the turkey in the morning, a few hours before cooking After the turkey is done in the brine, remove it from the brine and place it in its baking pan On a microwave safe plat, place the red, onions, cinnamon sticks, and thyme or rosemary Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup water and microwave on high for 7 minutes Place the apple, onions, cinnamon sticks, and thyme or rosemary inside the turkey Inject the turkey with the butter, optional Preheat oven to 500F, yes I know it's high, but trust me Cook the turkey for 30 minutes or until it is browned Cover with heavy duty foil and turn the oven down to 350F Bake for 2 1/2-3 hours more or until the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 161F.
- Remove turkey form the oven and allow to sit for 20 minutes or so before carving.
- **Youcan infuse the injection butter with garlic cloves, thyme, rosemary, pepper corns, or cinnamon sticks by just slowly melt it in a small sauce pan with one of those choices in it.
- Just remember to strain before injecting.
- Serving Suggestions: Mashed potatoes, corn, biscuits, corn bread, peas, or just bread.
BEST BRINED TURKEY BREAST
Interested in trying something different for your Thanksgiving turkey? We'll talk you through how to brine a turkey breast so you can set a flavorful, moist and delicious centerpiece on the table! Brined turkey breast needs some extra prep time, but it's so worth it for the juicy results.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 14h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In 6-quart container or stockpot, mix water, salt and sugar; stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add turkey. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
- Heat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from brine, rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry.
- Place onion on center of rack in large shallow roasting pan; top with rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Place turkey, skin side up, over onion and herbs.
- In small bowl, mix butter and wine. Soak 16-inch square of cheesecloth in butter mixture until completely saturated; cover turkey completely with cheesecloth. Roast 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Remove cheesecloth. Place onion and herbs in pan with drippings if using drippings to make gravy (or discard). Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of turkey and does not touch bone. Turn turkey skin side down. Roast 30 to 60 minutes longer or until thermometer reads 165°F.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 360, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 43 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 600 mg
THE BEST BRINED TURKEY
You'll roast the perfect, succulent Thanksgiving Day turkey thanks to our homemade brine made with salt, sugar, cloves and bay leaves.
Categories Entree
Time 21h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large stockpot, heat 4 cups of water; sdd sugar and salt. Stir until dissolved. Add 16 cups cold water, cloves and bay leaves (2 cups of ice can be added to make sure water is cold). Stir to combine.
- Urwrap turkey; wash the turkey inside and out. Place breast side down in the stockpot with brine; water will just cover the turkey. Refrigerate 18-24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Take the turkey out of the stock pot; rinse the inside and out with cold water discarding brine. Place the turkey on a roasting rack inside a wide low pan, blotting the turkey with a paper towel. Tuck back the wings and rub the skin of the turkey with the oil. Place a piece of foil just over the breast of the turkey to cover for even roasting. Roast on the lowest rack of the oven for 30 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Pour 1 cup of water into the pan and continue to roast for an additional hour.
- Remove the foil from the breast and cook another 15-30 minutes. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is iin thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone. Roast until thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted.
- Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes (this is an essential step to allow the juices to redistribute and settle). Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 275 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 84 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 3760 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- Choose the right turkey: For the best results, choose a fresh or thawed turkey that is 12 to 14 pounds. A larger turkey will take longer to cook and may not cook evenly.
- Brine the turkey: Brining the turkey helps to keep it moist and flavorful. You can brine the turkey in a simple salt-water solution or in a more elaborate brine that includes herbs, spices, and other flavorings.
- Cook the turkey properly: The best way to cook a turkey is to roast it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey for 13 to 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the turkey rest: After the turkey is cooked, let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices redistribute and make the meat more tender.
- Serve the turkey with your favorite sides: There are many delicious sides that you can serve with turkey, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.
Conclusion:
Brining and roasting a turkey is a great way to prepare a delicious and moist Thanksgiving meal. By following these tips, you can ensure that your turkey is cooked to perfection and that your guests will enjoy a delicious meal.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #north-american #main-dish #poultry #american #southern-united-states #1-day-or-more #oven #holiday-event #turkey #dietary #meat #equipment
You'll also love