Holiday Recipe

How to Brine a Turkey

Casual Epicure

Brining is the secret to succulent, flavorful poultry that will leave your guests raving. This Simple Turkey Brine recipe uses blend of broth, salt, sugar, and aromatic spices and herbs and produces a turkey that is juicy, flavorful, and tender.

Let’s get started!

6 Tips for Brining

01 Plan Ahead

02 Keep the Turkey Cold

03 Use the Correct Container

04 Experiment with Flavors

05 Monitor Salt Levels

06 Rest Before Cooking

Plan Ahead

01

Start your brining process at least 24 hours before you intend to cook the turkey to ensure it has enough time to absorb the flavors.

Keep the Turkey Cold

02

Always refrigerate the turkey while it's in the brine to prevent bacterial growth. You can also use ice packs to maintain a safe temperature.

Use the Correct Container

03

Choose a food-safe container, such as a large stockpot, food-grade plastic container, or brining bag, that’s large enough to fully submerge the turkey.

Experiment with Flavors

04

Customize your brine with herbs, spices, citrus, and sweeteners like brown sugar or honey for a unique taste.

Monitor Salt Levels

05

For a basic brine, use 1 cup of kosher salt for every gallon of water. This ratio helps flavor and moisten the turkey.

Rest Before Cooking

06

Allow the turkey to air-dry in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This helps to create a crispier skin when roasting.

Simple Turkey Brine

Casual Epicure

Visit casualepicure.com

Get all our tips for thawing, brining, and grilling turkey