Brining turkey before roasting infuses the meat with flavorful moisture and makes for an incredibly juicy holiday centerpiece For generations, an unusual technique has circulated for brining turkey in a plain garbage bag. However, food safety concerns around this method make it less than ideal With a few modifications, we can revive this timeworn family custom while keeping food safe and delicious.
Brining involves soaking meat in a saltwater solution known as a brine. The salt causes the protein in the meat to break down and loosen up, allowing the brine to permeate deeply. Brined meat not only stays succulent when cooked but also takes on added flavor from aromatic ingredients like herbs, spices, citrus and more.
The Appeal of Garbage Bag Brining
For large birds like turkey, finding a vessel big enough to submerge the entire turkey can get tricky This is where the idea of using a basic garbage bag came about. Strong, oversized and waterproof, a trash bag can fit even the biggest bird and contains the salty brine securely
The convenience of using readily available materials around the home has kept this method going strong. But food safety should be the number one priority when brining raw poultry.
Risks of Garbage Bags for Brining Turkey
While clever brining turkey in a garbage bag does involve some risks
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Chemicals: Standard garbage bags are not formulated to be food-safe. Non-food grade plastics and chemicals used in trash bags could leach into the brine.
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Punctures: Easily torn, trash bags can rip and spill their liquid contents across your refrigerator.
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No Temperature Control: A thin plastic bag provides no way to control temperature. Fluctuating temps can breed bacteria.
Keeping Turkey Brining Safe
To balance the convenience of a home hack with food safety, consider these tips:
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Use food-grade materials only when brining. Oven bags or unused heavyweight freezer bags make safe substitutes.
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Refrigerate during brining, maintaining a consistent 40°F temperature. Use ice to keep turkey fully submerged.
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Limit brining time to 12 hours or less to inhibit bacteria growth.
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Clean all prep surfaces and utensils before and after brining raw turkey.
Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Turkey Brining
Follow these simple steps for savor Thanksgiving turkey brined in an food-safe oven bag:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole 12-16 lb turkey
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
- 2 gallons cold water
- Herbs, spices and citrus (optional)
Directions:
- Mix Brine: In a pot, combine salt, brown sugar and cold water. Stir until fully dissolved. Add any other flavorings.
- Place Turkey in Bag: Select an extra-large oven roasting bag. Place thawed turkey inside and add brine to cover.
- Seal Bag: Tie oven bag securely closed with kitchen string or twist ties. Ensure no leaks.
- Refrigerate: Place bagged turkey in large bowl or pan. Surround with ice. Keep refrigerated for 8-12 hours.
- Discard Brine: Remove turkey and discard brine. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Cook as desired.
The Verdict on Garbage Bag Brining
While brining turkey in a trash bag may seem like an ingenious hack, food safety issues make it less advisable. With oven bags and proper refrigeration, we can modify this timeworn technique to keep holiday foods safe. Honor past traditions while also protecting your family’s health this Thanksgiving!
Downright unsafe ways to cook your turkey – Part 2
Jeannie Nichols, – November 14, 2013
Cooking the holiday bird in a bag is nothing new. It is important to know that there are safe and unsafe bags.
Unique regional methods of preparing holiday birds can be downright unsafe. These unique methods are designed to tantalize the senses and produce the perfect turkey – moist breast meat, tender legs and thighs, golden brown skin and memorable flavor.
Michigan State University Extension food safety wants you to have a safe, nutritious and delicious bird for your holiday meals. Two of these unsafe, non-traditional methods are cooking turkey in a brown paper bag or trash bag. Alternative resources can be used to make them safe.
Brown paper bag method
This method involves placing the turkey in a grocery type brown paper bag and cooking the bird at a very low temperature. Brown paper bags were never intended to be used for cooking. The glue, ink, chemicals and other materials used in recycling grocery bags may give off poisonous fumes. Paper grocery type bags are not sanitary and may cause a fire. Intense heat may cause a bag to ignite, causing a fire in the oven and ruining the turkey.
Make it safe – Replace the brown bag with a turkey-size oven-cooking bag. A whole turkey is done and safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the inner most part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Trash bag method
A whole turkey is placed in a large trash bag and marinated in salt brine, herbs and spices for several hours at room temperature. It is never recommended to use non-food grade materials as holding containers for food. Chemicals and non-food colors may leach into the food. MSU Extension, along with the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service recommends marinating meat in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Make it safe – Replace the trash bag with a large oven-cooking bag. Refrigerate the turkey during the marinating process and the results will be safe and delicious.
The moral of this article is: If you choose to cook your holiday bird in a bag – make sure it is food grade commercial cooking bag; then you know it is safe for you and your family.
For more information on preparing turkeys read Downright unsafe ways to cook your turkey – Part 1.
How to Brine a Turkey in a Bag
FAQ
Can I use a garbage bag to brine the turkey?
What can you use instead of a turkey brine bag?
Can you brine a turkey in a Ziploc bag?
What kind of container can I use to brine a turkey?
Can You brine a Turkey in a garbage bag?
But when it comes to brining a turkey many of us become confused because the same task can be done in various methods. You can brine in containers, slow cookers as well as in trash or garbage bags. Many people ask surprisingly, can I brine a turkey in a garbage bag? Yes, you can but it sounds rough, isn’t it?
How to brine a Turkey in a cooler?
With a bag: You will use a turkey brining bag as you normally would and then place it in a cooler. This is the best method if you do not have space in your fridge. Without a bag: After following a few instructions below, you should know how to brine a turkey in a cooler without a bag safely. The method works and is preferred by many people.
Are Turkey brining bags a good idea?
They are the best when it comes to getting the job done. Not only are turkey brining bags designed to hold the weight of the turkey and brine, but they are easy to use. Using a bag specifically designed to brine food in is the best way to ensure that you are using a food-grade product that won’t put your health and safety at risk.
How to brine a Turkey?
The most important part of brining a turkey is the perfect size bag according to the size of the turkey you’re going to brine. Don’t take a bag that is smaller in size than your turkey. Always choose a big one. As our main target is to describe the process in detail so we have divided the process into three parts. No more ado, let’s go on.