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apple turkey brine

(2 ratings)
blentz8 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
barbara lentz
@blentz8
beulah, MI

Great brine for a flavorful and moist turkey.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

We are in love with this simple turkey brine. It's one of the best we've ever used. The turkey comes out moist and lightly salted with an underlying sweetness. It has hints of spice, citrus, apple, and herbs that are so expertly balanced you'd swear it was prepared by a 5-star restaurant chef. If you want to try a new outstanding flavor combination this holiday season, we highly recommend this brine recipe.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For apple turkey brine

  • 3 qt
    water
  • 1 gal
    apple juice
  • 2 c
    kosher salt
  • 1 c
    brown sugar
  • 12
    whole cloves
  • 2
    cinnamon sticks
  • 1 Tbsp
    black peppercorns
  • 1 Tbsp
    pink peppercorns
  • 4 sprig
    rosemary
  • 8 sprig
    thyme
  • 10 clove
    garlic
  • 1 lg
    onion, halved
  • 2 lg
    oranges, halved

How To Make apple turkey brine

Test Kitchen Tips
Stuff the turkey with some of the brined fruit, herbs, and onion when you roast it for added flavor and moisture. Adding a sliced apple would be great too.
  • Salt, sugar, and water in a large pan.
    1
    In a large pan combine salt, sugar, and 1 quart of water.
  • Stirring ingredients together.
    2
    Bring to a simmer and simmer until salt and sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and let cool.
  • Adding remaining ingredients to the brine.
    3
    Add the remaining ingredients to the cooled brine.
  • Refrigerating the brine until cold.
    4
    Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.
  • Turkey placed into a bucket.
    5
    Place the turkey in a container large enough to hold the turkey and brine.
  • Adding brine to the turkey.
    6
    Pour the cold brine over the turkey.
  • Making sure the turkey is covered with the brine.
    7
    If there is not enough brine to cover the turkey add more water.
  • Placing the covered container in the fridge.
    8
    Cover and brine for 24 hours.
  • Rinsing the turkey.
    9
    Remove the turkey and rinse well.
  • Patting dry the turkey.
    10
    Then dry.
  • Preparing the turkey to be roasted.
    11
    Now the turkey is ready to roast.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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