turkey, brined and bagged!

Name: Turkey, Brined and Bagged!
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 - turkey, thawed; 16 cup(s) water; 48 ounce(s) salt (iodized); 1 - shot glass Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 - shot glass liquid smoke; 2 tablespoon(s) garlic (heaping); 1 large onion (diced); 1 - shot glass olive juice (from green olives); 1 tablespoon(s) celery seed; 1 tablespoon(s) pepper; 1 - shot glass lime juice

(5 RATINGS)

382 Pinches 23 Photos

Candi Hummer

Silver Springs, NV

Updated on Oct 30, 2025

Juicy, full of flavor, and even though it's a 20 pounder, it's gone the day after the holiday round here!

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Slices of Brined and Bagged Turkey on a platter.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Turkey is the crowning dish on a Thanksgiving table. This recipe is all about having a moist and flavorful turkey thanks to a brine. The turkey sits in the brine for 30 hours and soaks up all the smoky and salty flavors. Pats of butter are put under the skin and slowly melt into the turkey. Using an oven bag helps the turkey maintain its flavor and moisture.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time

cook time 2 Hr 30 Min

method Bake

yield 10-15 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 - turkey, thawed
16 cups water
48 ounces salt (iodized)
1 - shot glass Worcestershire sauce
1/2 - shot glass liquid smoke
2 tablespoons garlic (heaping)
1 large onion (diced)
1 - shot glass olive juice (from green olives)
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon pepper
1 - shot glass lime juice

How To Make turkey, brined and bagged!

Step 1

Thaw your turkey, leave giblets and neck in it while brining it. Place in a clean cooler.

Step 2

Add all ingredients to stockpot except turkey and giblets.
Step 3

Bring ingredients to a boil. Let cool to room temperature. Pour over turkey.
Step 4

Add ice to cover turkey. Set in a closed cooler out of the way for 30 hours. (I use a 5-day cooler. I never have to add ice after the initial time. Keep an eye on it and make sure you still have ice to keep it cool!)
Step 5

Rinse turkey.
Step 6

Dry turkey. Remove neck and giblets (boil those down for gravy and stuffing).
Step 7

Loosen breast skin and place butter pads under the skin.
Step 8

Add 1 heaping tablespoon of flour to a turkey oven bag. Shake flour around in the bag.
Step 9

Place turkey in the oven bag.
Step 10

Tie off the open end of the bag.
Step 11

Cut 6 small holes in the top, cook in 350* oven for 3 hours (a 20lb turkey).
Step 12

Remove from oven. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
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Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 108kcal, carbohydrates: 4g, cholesterol: 43mg, fat: 4g, fiber: 1g, protein: 14g, saturated fat: 1g, sodium: 52961mg, sugar: 1g, unsaturated fat: 3g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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