When it comes to preparing a scrumptious and succulent turkey, the secret lies not only in the cooking method but also in the brine. A well-crafted brine can infuse the turkey with incredible flavor and moisture, ensuring a juicy and tender feast. In this article, we'll explore the art of creating the perfect peppered maple and thyme turkey brine, highlighting the essential ingredients and techniques to achieve a delectable holiday centerpiece that will impress your family and friends. From selecting the right turkey to assembling the aromatic brine, we'll guide you through every step to create a flavorful and unforgettable dish.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
PEPPERED MAPLE AND THYME TURKEY BRINE
Our easy-to-prepare brine recipe will help ensure you end up with a deliciously moist and flavor-packed turkey.
Provided by Better Than Bouillon
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Better Than Bouillon®
Time 2h45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In the vessel that you will marinate the turkey in, combine all ingredients and mix well with a wire whisk, being sure that the chicken base is completely blended.
- Carefully place raw turkey or poultry into this vessel, being sure that the entire bird is covered with the brine.
- Cover vessel and place under proper refrigeration for 24 to 48 hours.
- When ready to cook the turkey, carefully remove it from the brine and rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Your turkey is now ready to cook, as you normally would do.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.2 g, Fat 1.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.6 g, Sodium 1658.3 mg, Sugar 18.9 g
MAPLE BRINED TURKEY
Provided by The Hearty Boys
Categories main-dish
Time 6h30m
Yield 1 (20-pound) turkey; 15 to 20 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place all the ingredients, except the turkey, in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Line a large stockpot with an unscented garbage bag and put the turkey into the pot. Pour the cooled brine over the bird, close and seal the bag, and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the brine, dry well, and discard the brine.
- Roast the turkey as you normally would, approximately 15 minutes a pound. Let stand for 30 minutes before carving.
FENNEL, CHILE, AND MAPLE DRY BRINE
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories Thanksgiving Quick & Easy Spice Chile Pepper Bon Appétit
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Toast star anise and fennel seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add salt, maple sugar, thyme, and red pepper flakes and pulse to blend, about 30 seconds.
- DO AHEAD: Dry brine can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
MAPLE-BUTTER TURKEY WITH GRAVY
Thyme, sage and marjoram blend beautifully with apple cider and maple syrup in this recipe from our Test Kitchen. The maple butter can be prepared 1 to 2 days in advance.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h40m
Yield 14-16 servings (3-1/3 cups gravy).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- For maple butter, in a small heavy saucepan, bring cider and syrup to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the butter, thyme, sage, marjoram, salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until set., With fingers, carefully loosen the skin from both sides of turkey breast. Rub 1/2 cup maple butter under turkey skin. Refrigerate remaining maple butter. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover with foil and bake at 325° for 2 hours. , Brush top with 1/3 cup maple butter. Bake, uncovered, 1 to 1-1/2 hours longer or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.) Remove turkey to a serving platter and keep warm. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. , Pour drippings and loosened brown bits into a 4-cup measuring cup. Skim and discard fat. Add enough broth to drippings to measure 3 cups. In a large saucepan, combine flour and broth mixture until smooth. Stir in remaining maple butter. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with turkey.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 579 calories, Fat 30g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 237mg cholesterol, Sodium 506mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 64g protein.
Tips:
- Use a large container for brining: Make sure the container is large enough to hold the turkey and all of the brine. A stockpot, cooler, or food-safe bucket are all good options.
- Brine the turkey for at least 12 hours, but no longer than 24 hours: The longer you brine the turkey, the more flavorful it will be. However, if you brine the turkey for too long, it can become too salty.
- Keep the turkey cold while brining: The best way to do this is to place the container in the refrigerator. If you don't have enough room in the refrigerator, you can place the container in a cool, covered area outside.
- Rinse the turkey thoroughly before cooking: This will remove any excess salt from the brine.
- Pat the turkey dry before roasting: This will help the skin crisp up.
- Use a roasting pan with a rack: This will allow the air to circulate around the turkey and help it cook evenly.
- Roast the turkey according to the recipe instructions: The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey.
Conclusion:
Brining a turkey is a great way to ensure that it is juicy and flavorful. By following these tips, you can achieve perfect results every time. So, next time you are cooking a turkey, give brining a try. You won't be disappointed!
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