super delicious apple cider turkey brine

Name: Super Delicious Apple Cider Turkey Brine
Prep time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 gallon(s) apple cider; 1 1/2 gallon(s) water; 1 cup(s) salt; 1 cup(s) brown sugar; 5 clove(s) garlic, minced; 3 large oranges, quartered, reserve 1 for when cooking turkey; 6 sprig(s) fresh thyme; 4 sprig(s) fresh rosemary

(2 RATINGS)

275 Pinches 7 Photos

Sanity Chek

Annapolis, MD

Updated on Nov 15, 2022

Made turkey last year in this wonderful brine solution and it was hands-down the best turkey my family had ever had. It was moist and flavorful as expected! Plan ahead because the brine needs to be boiled first and then cooled before you insert the turkey.

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Turkey made with Super Delicious Apple Cider Turkey Brine.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Trust the process for brining a turkey, and this recipe will produce one of the best roasted turkeys you've ever tasted. Once baked, the turkey is nice and juicy, and full of flavor. It's savory with a hint of garlic and citrus. The breast is not the least bit dry. This apple cider brine does take a little bit of patience and time, but the outcome is well worth the wait.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 1 Hr

cook time

method Stove Top

yield 8-10 serving(s)

Ingredients

1/2 gallon apple cider
1 1/2 gallons water
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 large oranges, quartered, reserve 1 for when cooking turkey
6 sprigs fresh thyme
4 sprigs fresh rosemary

How To Make super delicious apple cider turkey brine

Test Kitchen Tips

We opted for the method of putting the turkey and brine in a large plastic bag in a cooler and covering it with ice. Our 10.5 lb turkey sat in the brine for 20 hours.

Step 1

Dissolve the salt and sugar in combined 1.5 gallons of water and 1/2 gallon of cider in a large stockpot. Add garlic, oranges, thyme, and rosemary. Note: This recipe is designed for a 10-12lb turkey. If you have a big turkey and need more brine, then use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water. Bring the solution to a boil, then immediately turn off the heat and cover. Let the brine cool to room temperature.

Step 2

Remove neck, giblets, and liver from a 10-12lb thawed or fresh turkey and save for gravy. Rinse turkey, inside and out in cold water.
Step 3

Soak the turkey in brine. Either: A) Carefully immerse your turkey into cooled brine, in the stock pot. This is best done in the sink, as brine will spill out. Cover and refrigerate. --OR-- B) Put the turkey into a large plastic brining/roasting bag. Pour the entire brine liquid over the turkey. Seal the bag tightly. Put the turkey bag into the stock pot. Refrigerate. --OR-- C) Buy a new clean 3-4 gallon big paint bucket from your hardware store. Line it with your brining bag or a giant Reynolds cooking bag. Put your turkey inside and pour the brine mix over it so it is covered. Seal it and then cover and surround the bucket with 3-4 bags of ice from your grocery store. If you have a large cooler that you can turn on its side and slide the bucket in there, even better. Let brine in your cool garage or on your deck.
Step 4

Brine for at least 4 hours and up to 24. *my personal experience is 4-6 hours is perfectly fine*
Step 5

Remove turkey from brine and rinse well inside and out. Pat dry. Discard the brine solution. Before cooking your turkey in whatever favorite way you do, use the 3rd orange you have set aside and rub the whole outside, especially on the top breast area.
Step 6

Then apply your butter and favorite seasonings. Cook however you like.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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