Turkey Brine
- 2 gallons water
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed
- 5 bay leaves
- 4 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 3 oranges, peeled, white pith removed, skin roughly chopped
- 1 (20-pound) fresh turkey
- 1 1/2 sticks softened butter
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped orange zest
- Directions
- Combine the water, apple juice, salt, sugar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, dried rosemary, and orange peel in a large pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat immediately, cover, and allow mixture to come to room temperature. Cool mixture in the fridge until you're ready.
- To brine the turkey, remove the turkey from wrapper, remove interior bags (set aside; refrigerate), and rinse turkey thoroughly under cool water.
- Place the turkey into a plastic brining bag or a very large pot.
- Pour the cooled brine mixture over the top, adding extra cold water if you need more to completely cover the turkey. Seal the bag or cover the pot and allow the turkey to brine in the refrigerator for 16 to 24 hours before roasting.
- Before roasting, remove the turkey from brine and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Then soak in a sink full of fresh water for 15 to 20 minutes. Pat dry. Discard brine. (This soaking process will decrease the likelihood of too-salty gravy).
water, apple juice, kosher salt, brown sugar, garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns, rosemary, oranges, fresh turkey, butter, rosemary, orange zest
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/turkey-brine-51353031 (may not work)