Don’t Be Afraid To Brine Your Turkey
The word is terrifying but the process is SUPER EASY and the result is the juiciest turkey you will ever eat!
If I had to guess, you are probably reading this story because the word “brine” sounds overwhelming, complex and gourmet, but you have been mulling over the idea to try it.
This article is going to change your pre-conceived notion about this seemingly daunting process. And, if you decide to take my advice and brine your turkey this year, I know you will do it from here on out. I promise I am telling you the truth.
According to Wikipedia, brining is typically a process in which meat is soaked in a saltwater solution for 30 minutes to several days. The saltwater solution enhances tenderness and by adding seasoning such as herbs, spices and/or sugar, you can significantly enhance the flavor, as well.
Fun fact: I was just like you a few years ago. When I saw the word brine, I cowered in fear. I thought brining was for chefs and had no place in my home kitchen. Plus, Thanksgiving was stressful enough, why would I want to add another layer of difficulty to an already difficult meal?
But, then a conversation with my neighbor changed my mind forever. She told me she brined her turkey every year and would never think of not doing so. She swore to me it was super simple and walked me through the process. I was shocked at how easy it sounded and decided to try it.
I am so glad I did!
That year, my turkey was the most flavorful, moist and juicy one I had ever made! My guests could not stop talking about it.
Once I had done it and saw how easy it was, I vowed I would NEVER make a turkey without brining it ever again. I actually felt silly that I had not done it sooner. Brining is just a big fancy word. The act of doing it is so simple.
There are many brining recipes on the internet, but I like a basic one with just a few ingredients – definitely nothing complicated. I find this one from Whole Foods to be very easy. It also includes a video that illustrates the method in a clear, easy to follow way:
A few important tips to know before brining:
- Always brine a fully-thawed turkey. So, make sure your turkey is defrosted by Wednesday. Then, brine it and put it back in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (NO MORE!)
- Before brining, remove the neck and giblets.
- Instead of a brining bag as described in the video, I just use kitchen garbage bags. I double bag the turkey and tie it up. If the turkey is too big and does not fit in the pot, I use the actual pan that I will be roasting the turkey in. (You may have to tuck the sides of the bag into the pan to keep them from bubbling out).
- If you find there is not enough brine to cover the turkey completely, just add more cold water until it is fully submerged.
- When transferring the turkey into the refrigerator, you may want to have a family member help, as it can get pretty heavy! It is really a two-person job.
- As noted in the video, make sure you fully wash the turkey after you brine it. Then you can prepare it the way you normally do. However, be careful not to add salt, as the turkey has absorbs all the salt from the brine.
Bottom line: Once you brine for the first time, you will see that it is a simple, quick process that does not require any special skills. The result you will get is a succulent, flavorful turkey that will surely spark rave reviews and impress your whole family. YUM!!!!
FYI – I am not paid to sponsor Whole Foods or any of their products. I don’t even shop there!