The Best Apple Cider Turkey Brine

good life eats

"This Apple Cider Turkey Brine recipe results in a moist, flavorful turkey! In this post, I’ve also included a few rules you should know before preparing this turkey brine recipe and attempting to brine a turkey!"

~ GOOD LIFE EATS

Apple Cider

KEY INGREDIENT

– fresh apple cider* – Morton kosher salt –  bay leaves – whole allspice berries – peppercorns – chopped fresh sage leaves – orange peel – cold water

INGREDIENTS:

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TOTAL TIME

Yield

BRINE FOR 1 14-16LB TURKEY

1 DAY  25 MINUTES

PREP TIME

APPLE CIDER SAGE TURKEY BRINE

5 MINUTES

To Prepare the Brine

1. In a large stockpot, combine everything except the water.

To Prepare the Brine

2. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Turn heat off and cool to room temperature. Add cold water.

To Prepare the Brine

3. For smaller stock pots, you may have to allow the brine to cool and add the additional amount when pouring the brine into the bag in the following step.

To Brine the Turkey

1. Place the turkey in a large zip-top bag. I recommend the Ziploc Big Bags (size large). Put the bagged turkey in a clean cooler.

To Brine the Turkey

2. Pour the brine over the turkey, in the bag, making sure the breasts are fully submerged. Zip the bag closed.

To Brine the Turkey

3. Place the cooler in a cool place, such as your garage or basement (if temperatures are cold enough), and allow the turkey to soak in the cold brine for 12-24 hours.

To Brine the Turkey

4. Use gel ice packs or bagged ice around the zipped bag inside the cooler, if necessary, to keep the brine below 40°F. (Adding more ice directly to the brine would only dilute it.)

To Brine the Turkey

5. Alternatively, if you have room in your refrigerator, you may place the bagged turkey in a large foil tray rather than a cooler and store it on the fridge shelf.

To Brine the Turkey

6. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry the turkey with paper towels.

To Brine the Turkey

7. Bring to room temperature for 1-2 hours before roasting. Roast according to your preferred method.

Visit Good Life Eats for more Notes and Tips on making the BEST Apple Cider Turkey Brine!

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Enjoy!

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