Two Methods for Brining
- 1 fresh or thawed frozen turkey (12 to 20 pounds)
- 1 stockpot or sterilized, leak-proof container large enough to hold the turkey (either upright or on its side) with 3 to 4 inches of headroom
- 1 recipe of either Juniper Brine, Apple Cider and Ginger Brine, or Honey and Allspice Brine
- 2 turkey-size plastic oven bags or brining bags (see Notes)
- 1 large roasting pan
- 1 recipe of either Juniper Brine, Apple Cider and Ginger Brine, or Honey and Allspice Brine
- To Brine in a Pot or Container:
- This method involves brining the turkey in a large stockpot or a sterilized, leak-proof container such as a bucket or restaurant-grade storage container.
- The pot or container needs to stand upright in the refrigerator, which usually requires removing one or two refrigerator shelves.
- Place the turkey in the stockpot or container, standing it upright or on its side, however it fits best.
- Pour the brine over the bird, then add cold water to cover by 1 inch.
- Cover the container with a lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 or up to 24 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine.
- Discard the brine and any cured herbs or spices remaining on the bird.
- (Discard the oranges and ginger if using the Apple Cider Brine.)
- Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey in a large bowl or roasting pan and refrigerate, unwrapped, for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
- This shows the skin of the turkey to dry a bit so it is crisp when roasted.
- The turkey is now ready to be roasted.
- To Brine in a Bag:
- This method involves brining the bird in turkey oven bags set in a roasting pan.
- The roasting pan will fit on 1 shelf in the refrigerator, saving critical space.
- Nest 1 plastic oven bag inside the other to create a double thickness (see Notes).
- Place the double bag, mouth open wide and facing up, in the roasting pan.
- Fold back the top one-third of the double bag to make a collar (this helps keep the bags open).
- Place the turkey inside the double bag.
- Unfold the collar of the double bag and pour the brine over the bird, then add 2 cups of cold water.
- Draw up the top of the inner bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and secure it closed with a twist tie.
- Do the same with the outer bag.
- Turn the package so the turkey is breast side down in the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 12 or up to 24 hours.
- Turn the turkey 3 or 4 times while it is brining.
- Remove the turkey from the brine.
- Discard the bags, brine, and any cured herbs or spices remaining on the bird.
- (Discard the oranges and ginger if using the Apple Cider Brine.)
- Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Piece the turkey back in the roasting pan and refrigerate, unwrapped, for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
- This resting period allows the skin of the turkey to dry a bit so it is crisp when roasted.
- The turkey is now ready to be roasted.
turkey, enough, recipe of either juniper brine, turkey, roasting pan, recipe of either juniper brine
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/two-methods-for-brining (may not work)