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Anybody got a favorite Turkey Brine Recipe

Started by SteveZ, November 15, 2017, 09:07:15 AM

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SteveZ

Hey guys
Looking for a Good Turkey Brine. I don't usually brine, but may try it this year!

Thanks
SteveZ
SSP Caribique, Black 2nd Generation Performer, 2018 Green Performer, 1970 MBH 26 Black (Fleetwood) with Roti, 1965 Thumb Screw 49er, (2) Black 18 OTG, 2017 Black Master Touch, Black Genesis Silver B.  E code 14 WSM, AH code 18 WSM, AH code 22 WSM,

EricD

Dry brine or wet brine?   I've never done wet because I can never find a bucket big enough.  But I dry brine all the time (not just turkey)
Try Naturiffic Harvest dry brine: https://www.naturiffic.com/
Before, I used to just rub the bird down with butter and kosher salt, sprinkle with Simon and Garfunkel rub, sit in fridge overnight.
22" Kettle black, 18" Kettle black,Genesis S-310 Stainless Gasser, Genesis Silver Edition Gasser, 22" Weber Smoky Mountain, 28" Blackstone Griddle, Blackstone Pizza oven, Maverick ET-732
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addicted-to-smoke

Got no opinion here, but only to note that @AnotherPintPlease posted a video saying he used to wet brine and now prefers dry. Either way, ya gotta have a lot of room cleared away in the fridge unless it's already cold enough outside where you live. I'd have to put a freakin' cage around  the bird to keep the dogs away from it if I put it outside anywhere.

Anything to add to that, Mike?
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

Foster Dahlet

Quote from: SteveZ on November 15, 2017, 09:07:15 AM
Hey guys
Looking for a Good Turkey Brine. I don't usually brine, but may try it this year!

Thanks
SteveZ

After trying more complicated brines, I keep it simple.  It tastes better

This link is spot on.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Turkey-Brine/

I use brown sugar, not refined white sugar.

I like my Kettles like my coffee....strong and black.

2019 Black 26" OKP; 2015 Black 22" OKP; 2004 Black SJP; mid 70's Statesman; mid 70's Gourmet, 2017 Black CGA; 2000 Black GGA;

EricD

22" Kettle black, 18" Kettle black,Genesis S-310 Stainless Gasser, Genesis Silver Edition Gasser, 22" Weber Smoky Mountain, 28" Blackstone Griddle, Blackstone Pizza oven, Maverick ET-732
ThermaPop, Grillaholics Grill Mat, PizzaQue, Kettle Rotiserrie

Foster Dahlet

#5
Quote from: EricD on November 15, 2017, 10:52:42 AM
Check out this article:  http://amazingribs.com/recipes/rubs_pastes_marinades_and_brines/zen_of_brines.html

Seen it, tried dry brining...I still prefer wet brining....but some here do prefer dry brining. 
I like my Kettles like my coffee....strong and black.

2019 Black 26" OKP; 2015 Black 22" OKP; 2004 Black SJP; mid 70's Statesman; mid 70's Gourmet, 2017 Black CGA; 2000 Black GGA;

kettlebb

Just my opinion here but I don't think a brine is necessary for any of the turkeys coming from the huge processing farms.  If you read the packaging they usually inject a salt/brine solution in the bird before packaging them.  I think this negates any need for additional brine process before cooking.  Now, if you were to be lucky enough to kill your own wild turkey and process it on your own then you'd want to brine it (if you didn't like the wild game taste) and to help it stay juicy.  I see tons of posts here come fall time about dry and wet brine and to each their own.  I've had store bought and wild turkey and I think the main purpose of the brine is to remove the game taste.  I haven't dried out a bird yet and I don't brine.  Your call and your time and effort.  Good luck!
Looking for: Red MBH 26"(The Aristocrat), Chestnut-coppertone (The Estate), Glen-blue (The Imperial), and The Plainsman.

hawgheaven

Multiple kettles and WSM's. I am not a collector, just a gatherer... and a sick bastard.

HoosierKettle

#8
I've never brined but Malcolm never steers you wrong. He brines and injects.   I'd like to try this one.


https://youtu.be/YrhpPMi_Eds


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Joetee

I've done a wet brine over night before and didn't notice any difference. This yr dry brine with coshire salt for 24 hrs.

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Ken/Washington

Wet brine and cut the salt.. (Your bird prob. Is in solution already.) I use a brine utilizing vegetable broth. Then smoke with a few chunks of plum wood...mmmm...

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suckaass

I don't post here much, but it would be remiss if I didn't share this
http://www.cookshack.com/brining-101
Lots of good info on brining here. Scroll down to Chapter-4 Brining Recipes where you'll find the recipe for Smokin Okies Holiday Turkey Brine. You'll be glad you did :)
Eddie, go over there and get all of that wood, I need half a tree. Chop that tree.
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C'mon, you wanna eat? You wanna eat?

AnotherPintPlease

Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on November 15, 2017, 10:30:45 AM
Got no opinion here, but only to note that @AnotherPintPlease posted a video saying he used to wet brine and now prefers dry. Either way, ya gotta have a lot of room cleared away in the fridge unless it's already cold enough outside where you live. I'd have to put a freakin' cage around  the bird to keep the dogs away from it if I put it outside anywhere.

Anything to add to that, Mike?

You hit the nail on the head! Between turkeys already being pumped full of fluid, to the hassle of having to heat up the brine water, to cooling the brine water (even with the aid of ice), to finding fridge space for it, has made the dry brine my go-to process. It's even better when spatchcocking, as you get access to the complete surface area of the bird. Plus, that skin, that wonderful skin...!

addicted-to-smoke

Thanks. I've committed to the rotisserie this year, which I can't imagine would be "worse" than spatchcock since I have no time limit really. My comment re: dry brine was in reference to still wanting to fridge it for a while. Even without being in a bucket it'll still take up room there.
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch