Ingredients and Weight:
- Water: 2 gallons
- Salt: 1 cup
- Brown sugar: 1 cup
- Orange zest: 2 oranges
- Lemon zest: 1 lemon
- Cinnamon sticks: 3
- Allspice berries: 10
- Bay leaves: 5
- Fresh ginger, sliced: 1 knob (about 1 inch)
- Fresh thyme, chopped: 1/2 cup
- Fresh rosemary, chopped: 1/4 cup
- Black peppercorns: 10
Preparation Time:
1 hour
Cooking Time:
Overnight (12-24 hours)
Difficulty Level:
1 (Simple)
Preparation Method Steps:
- In a large stockpot or bucket, combine the water, salt, and brown sugar. Stir until dissolved.
- Add the orange and lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, bay leaves, ginger, thyme, rosemary, and black peppercorns to the brine.
- Place the turkey breast-side down in a large brining bag or container. Pour the brine over the turkey, ensuring it is completely submerged.
- Refrigerate the turkey in the brine for 12-24 hours. Turn the turkey occasionally to ensure even brining.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 30 per cup of brine
Dish Characteristics:
- Juicy and tender turkey meat
- Savory and aromatic flavor profile
- Suitable for roasting, grilling, or smoking
User Comments:
- "This brine made my turkey the best I've ever had! It was so juicy and flavorful."
- "I used this brine on a 12-pound turkey and it came out perfectly. The meat was so tender and had a wonderful herbacious flavor."
- "I've tried many turkey brines before, but this one is by far the best. It's easy to make and produces amazing results."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Make sure the turkey is fully submerged in the brine to ensure even distribution of flavor.
- Do not brine the turkey for longer than 24 hours, as this can make it too salty.
- If you don't have a brining bag, you can use a large pot or bucket. Just make sure the turkey is completely covered by the brine.
- Use fresh herbs for maximum flavor.
