Mighty Fine Turkey Brine Recipe

Prep Time::25 mins

Cook Time::16 mins

Total Time::41 mins

Servings::31

Yield::31 cups

Ingredients

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Original recipe (1X) yields 31 servings

5 cups water, divided

1 cup salt

1 gallon water

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 quarts apple juice (not from concentrate)

1 pint whiskey (such as Jack Daniel's®)

1 lemon, juiced

1 large Gala apple, quartered and chopped

1 navel orange, quartered, or more to taste

Directions

Combine 2 1/2 cups water and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until salt is dissolved, about 3 minutes.

Pour water and salt mixture into a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 gallon of water.

Combine 2 1/2 cups water and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pour into the bucket.

Stir apple juice, whiskey, and lemon juice into the bucket. Add chopped apple. Squeeze in orange juice and add in rinds.

Cook's Notes:

Substitute 1/4 cup lemon extract for the lemon juice if desired.

To Brine: Crush 1 to 2 jumbo-sized cloves of garlic and rub over a 12 to 18-pound turkey. You can also mince fresh herbs and mix in with the garlic. Stuff turkey with 1 quartered and chopped apple. Brine for 12 to 16 hours, depending on the size of the turkey. You could add a bottle of dry white wine to the brine about 6 hours in. Pat turkey dry with paper towels before roasting.

Editor's Note:

Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of brine ingredients. The actual amount of brine consumed will vary.

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