How to Brine a Turkey

Brining is a great way to guarantee that your Thanksgiving turkey is juicy and full of flavor. Whether you are smoking, roasting, frying, or even cooking your bird, on a rotisserie, a good brine locks in moisture, while adding flavor to every bite.

There are several options available for preparing your brine. You may simply make your own brine by mixing salt, water and the additional seasonings of your choosing. A very basic recipe is nothing more than kosher salt,( ½ cup) sugar,( ½ cup), brining liquid, (water), seasoning of your choosing. Mix together, boil for 5 minutes. Let cool to 40 degrees. Place turkey in brining bag, or food safe holding container and store under refrigeration. Typically about an hour a pound for refrigeration timing. ( 12lb turkey, 12 hours).

Many of the current pitmasters offer brining mixes and kits to make it simple and easy. At Grill Sergeant, we have available, Meat Church, “Bird Baptism” brine, which is excellent for both turkey and chicken. We also offer Sucklebusters “Area 51 brining kit”, which includes, a brine bag, a basic brine mix, and a pack of mixed herbs, for additional flavor. Heath Riles” Chicken Injection and Brine”, and his “Butter Bath & Wrap”, round out our selection.

In addition to brining you may wish to consider injecting as well. Yes, both. Doing both the brine and injection takes that everyday yardbird to a whole new level of flavor excellence. At Grill Sergeant we stock, injectors, injections, brine buckets, and bags, and all the essentials for getting your turkey ready for the grill, smoker, fryer, or oven. Don’t overlook that rotisserie you probably seldom use. Whatever cooking equipment you choose, the brining and injecting will take your Thanksgiving dinner to a new level of flavor, tenderness, and or course, jucieness.