Best 3 Sugar Free Citrus Turkey Brine Recipes

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Are you looking for a healthier way to brine your turkey this holiday season? If so, you may want to consider making a sugar-free citrus turkey brine. This type of brine not only adds flavor to the turkey but also helps to keep it moist and tender. Additionally, it can help reduce the amount of sodium in your turkey, making it a healthier option for you and your family. In this article, we will provide you with a variety of sugar-free citrus turkey brine recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table. We will also discuss the benefits of using a sugar-free brine, as well as some tips for making the most of your brining experience.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CITRUS TURKEY BRINE



Citrus Turkey Brine image

A great citrus brine recipe. This will leave your Turkey very moist. You could also use it on other poultry in smaller amounts.

Provided by MPRADO

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup salt
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic
4 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 ½ gallons cold water

Steps:

  • Rub salt onto your turkey, and place remaining salt, lemons, oranges, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme and pepper into a large pot. Place the turkey in the pot, and fill with water. Refrigerate overnight. Discard brine after removing turkey.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5.7 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 6239.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

SUGAR FREE CITRUS TURKEY BRINE



Sugar Free Citrus Turkey Brine image

Soaking your turkey in a great brine for 24 to 48 hours before roasting will do wonders to make it tender and yummy. I had a hard time finding one that was sugar-free for my diabetic father, so I kinda made this up. I love it. Oh with this bird, you won't be stuffing it with stuffing.

Provided by Lindy Lou

Categories     Turkey Brine

Time P1DT4h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (10 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1 large, sturdy food-grade plastic bag
1 large cooler
2 gallons water
2 cups kosher salt
2 unpeeled navel oranges, cut into chunks
2 unpeeled lemons, cut into chunks
2 unpeeled clementines (Mandarin oranges), cut into chunks
1 bunch fresh rosemary sprigs
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Rinse the turkey, inside and out, and set aside. Place the plastic bag into the cooler, and open out the bag.
  • Pour the water into the plastic bag, and add the salt; smush the bag around several times with your fingers to dissolve the salt. Squeeze juice from the orange, lemon, and clementine chunks into the salty water, and drop the chunks into the bag. Mix in the rosemary and thyme, and place the turkey into the brine with the breast side down. Close the bag, squeeze out excess air, and tightly seal; close lid of the cooler, and place in a refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Remove turkey from the brine, and retain 4 or 5 chunks each of navel orange and lemon and the sprigs of rosemary and thyme from the brine. Discard remainder of used brine. Rinse the entire turkey, inside and out, and place into a roasting pan.
  • Place the pieces of fruit and herb sprigs into the cavity of the turkey. Loosen the skin over the breast with your fingers, and spread butter over the breast underneath the skin. Rub the entire turkey with olive oil, and sprinkle with poultry seasoning and black pepper. If desired, cover the breast of the turkey with foil.
  • Roast in the preheated oven until the turkey is golden brown and the juices run clear, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Remove foil for last 30 to 45 minutes of baking. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 624.2 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Cholesterol 228.6 mg, Fat 29.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 77.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.2 g, Sodium 15401.7 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

CITRUS-SCENTED BRINED TURKEY



Citrus-Scented Brined Turkey image

Our home economists marinate this turkey to keep it deliciously moist while roasting.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h30m

Yield 12-14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

11 garlic cloves, peeled
6 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
4 bay leaves
6 cups cold water
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
1 medium orange, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon canola oil

Steps:

  • Mince five garlic cloves; halve the remaining garlic cloves and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the apple juice, salt, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, bay leaves and minced garlic. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Remove giblets from turkey and discard. Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, turning several times., Drain and discard brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Place the lemon, orange, onion, thyme and reserved garlic in both cavities. Rub oil over skin. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. , Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 4 to 4-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160° (cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly). Let stand for 15 minutes before removing contents from cavities and carving the turkey.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use a combination of citrus fruits: Don't limit yourself to just one type of citrus fruit. Experiment with different combinations to create a unique flavor profile for your turkey. Some popular choices include oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.
  • Don't forget the herbs and spices: Citrus fruits are a great base for a brine, but they can be even better when paired with herbs and spices. Some popular options include thyme, rosemary, sage, and garlic. Experiment with different combinations to find a flavor profile that you love.
  • Brine the turkey for at least 12 hours, but no longer than 24 hours: The longer the turkey brines, the more flavor it will absorb. However, brining the turkey for too long can make it too salty. 12-24 hours is the ideal amount of time to brine a turkey.
  • Rinse the turkey thoroughly before cooking: Before cooking the turkey, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove any excess salt. This will help ensure that the turkey is not too salty.

Conclusion:

Brining a turkey is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your Thanksgiving feast. By following the tips above, you can create a delicious and juicy turkey that your family and friends will love. So, what are you waiting for? Give sugar-free citrus turkey brine a try this year!

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