Brining your Turkey

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I get my bags at Williams Sonoma, but Ziplock has those XL and XXL bags! You can get them at target. I used them last year and they work much better then the WS ones! and cost much less! I Brine mine for approx 30 hours, most of my turkey is submersed. but it needs to be turned half way thru. My brine is not salty tasting at all! I do not use salt, if I do it is sea salt.

 

[Nik's Mom]

This is my first time trying to brine a turkey. I put it in the brine this afternoon. I hope I didn't do it too soon. I couldn't find a pot big enough so I used a trash bag and tied it in a knot, then put that in the fridge.

I'm curious why you all say it will smell so bad? Does it depend on your recipe? I used a recipe from the web. I put in salt, oranges, lemons, onion and garlic with about a gallon of water. I hope it turns out ok.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

This is my first time trying to brine a turkey. I put it in the brine this afternoon. I hope I didn't do it too soon. I couldn't find a pot big enough so I used a trash bag and tied it in a knot, then put that in the fridge.

I'm curious why you all say it will smell so bad? Does it depend on your recipe? I used a recipe from the web. I put in salt, oranges, lemons, onion and garlic with about a gallon of water. I hope it turns out ok.

mine does not smell bad. I have never heard of that! I did mine at 10 this morning. I use the Williams and Sonoma brine. and with that one, you need to bring the brine to a boil with one gallon of water. cool, then put in frig. once cooled, you are to add that gallon with brine to a bag, and add, another gallon of H2O. Then add 2 cups of ice H2O. then 6 cups of apple cider. I did this last year, and it was unbelievable!!!

 

[christineann]

We are using the same brine recipe this year that luvmy3jewels used - tried it last year and loved it! We didn't have room in the fridge this year, so we bought a couple bags of ice and packed the turkey (in a bag) in a large cooler.

Great recipe!

 

[java]

We don't use salt on any of our foods so I think that brining a turkey would make it way way to salty for us.

We don't salt either but didn't have an issue with the brine. It tasted great to us. But I am not brining this year just simple regular like a chicken cooking this year to me. What I wasn't crazy about with brining was my gravy using drippings was too salty.

I'm trying the cheesecloth dipped in butter and wine and herbs meathod this year.

 

[Randi]

I can't imagine how much sodium would be absorbed by the turkey. Way too much for a person who watches their sodium intake or a non-salt eater I would think. But then I have never had a turkey that wasn't moist & flavorful.

I mix some softened unsalted butter with maple syrup and spread that under the skin, then roast the turkey in an oven bag without stuffing. Comes out great every time.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm brining for the first time ever, I hope it turns out good tomorrow!!!!

 

[PaulaSue]

Yep, Dh does the turkey this way and it is Yummy! Actually in the oven now for tomm.

 

[JodyLynC]

I think when you take the turkey out of the brine, it is stinky. Maybe strong is the more appropriate word. Then we wash it with cold water and pat it dry.

I slather mine with butter and Bicentennial Rub (poultry seasoning from Penzey's sprices.). Then I pop it in the oven for 30 minutes at 500 to get the skin crisp. Then I turn the heat down and cover the breast with foil till done.