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food grade bucket for brining turkey

Simple Turkey Brine

Tami McBride
Make a simple turkey brine and brine your fresh or thawed turkey before cooking it.  Brining helps the turkey retain moisture and will make the cooked meat more juicy.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Course Cooking Tips
Calories 24 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey
  • 2 + gallons of water to cover the whole turkey
  • 1 cup salt per every gallon of water
  • Container to hold turkey and salt water

Instructions
 

  • REMOVE the neck and giblets from the turkey.
  • RINSE the turkey with water, including in the cavity.
  • MIX up the brine. Mix 1 cup of salt into every gallon of water. Stir to dissolve the salt.
  • PLACE the turkey (breast side down) in a large stockpot, a brining bag, a cooler, or food grade bucket.
  • POUR the brine over the turkey, covering it completely.
  • PLACE the turkey in the refrigerator to brine. If brining in a cooler, place enough ice or ice packs to keep the water temperature between 32° and 40°F. If brining in a food grade bucket, add enough ice to keep the water temperature between 32° and 40°F. Check the temperature every 2 hours (or more often if the weather is warmer) and replenish ice to keep the temperature consistent.
  • At least once, ROTATE the turkey, so the whole turkey is covered with brine.

Notes

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Nutrition

Serving: 1lbCalories: 24kcalProtein: 4gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 5717mg
Keyword brine turkey, simple turkey brine
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