Turkey Brine is where the juiciest, most moist turkey of your life begins. This post covers how to wet brine a turkey and includes my favorite easy turkey brine recipe.
Brining is THE most important step to cooking a moist roast turkey (other than not overcooking the meat).
Brining is the process of allowing meat to rest in a salt solution for about 24 hours prior to roasting.
Each type of brine has its pros and cons; I tried both for my Thanksgiving turkey over the years.
Most years, I do a dry brine, because it’s less messy and the results are still stellar.
For those who want to roast the most traditional turkey possible, prefer a wet brine, or just want to try something new, this post has everything you need to know to make a wet turkey brine that will have your guests swooning (and won’t drive you crazy in the process!).
As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach, many home cooks are gearing up to prepare the star of the meal – a juicy, flavorful turkey Brining is one of the best ways to ensure your turkey turns out moist and full of flavor. But finding a vessel large enough to submerge the entire bird can be tricky This is where a 5 gallon bucket comes in handy! Brining a turkey in a 5 gallon bucket is an easy and effective technique.
Can You Really Brine a Turkey in a 5 Gallon Bucket?
The short answer is yes – a 5 gallon bucket works perfectly for brining turkeys of any size. A standard 5 gallon bucket is about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. This provides ample room to fully submerge even a large 20 pound turkey in brine. As long as you find a food-safe bucket made of HDPE #2 plastic and give it a thorough cleaning first, a 5 gallon bucket is a great turkey brining container.
Choosing the Right 5 Gallon Bucket
When selecting a 5 gallon bucket for brining, look for the following features:
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Food-safe – Made from HDPE #2 food-grade plastic and BPA-free. Avoid reusing buckets that held chemicals, paint, etc.
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Opaque – Blocks light to prevent the brine from developing off-flavors. Avoid clear buckets.
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Clean – Free of any scratches or residue from previous use. Wash thoroughly before brining.
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Sealable lid – A tight lid keeps the brine submerged and secure in the fridge.
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** Sturdy handles** – Allows easy transport of the heavy bucket when full of turkey and brine.
Many large hardware stores, restaurant supply shops, or online retailers offer suitable 5 gallon food-safe buckets. Pick one up ahead of the holidays for your turkey brining needs.
Prepping the 5 Gallon Bucket
Before placing your turkey in the 5 gallon bucket, proper prep is important:
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Wash the bucket thoroughly with hot soapy water. Scrub inside and out.
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Rinse well and spray with a bleach solution. Allow to air dry.
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To prevent scratches, line the bucket with a food-safe brining bag.
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Mix up your brine recipe. Cool to refrigerator temperature before adding turkey.
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Prepare a lid or plastic wrap to fully seal the bucket.
Filling the 5 Gallon Bucket
Once your bucket is prepped, you can fill it with the turkey:
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Place the raw turkey in the lined bucket breast side down.
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Slowly pour the cooled brine over the turkey until completely submerged.
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Weigh down the turkey with a plate if it tries to float. All meat should be covered.
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Seal the lid or plastic wrap over the bucket. Place in the fridge.
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Let the turkey brine for 12-24 hours based on weight.
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Turn the turkey over halfway through if possible.
Retrieving the Brined Turkey
Following the recommended brining time, it’s important to properly remove the turkey:
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Take the sealed bucket out of the fridge and remove the lid.
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Carefully lift out the brined turkey and transfer to a roasting pan.
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Discard all brine – it cannot be reused or consumed.
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Rinse the turkey under cool water to remove excess salt. Pat dry.
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Cook as desired, adjusting time slightly for the moistness from brining.
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Allow the bucket to dry fully before storing for next use.
And that’s it – your turkey is ready for delicious roasting after its time in the 5 gallon brining bucket!
Frequently Asked Questions About 5 Gallon Turkey Brining
What size turkey will fit in a 5 gallon bucket?
A 5 gallon bucket can fit turkeys up to 20-22 pounds. For larger birds, look for a 7-10 gallon brining container.
How much brine do I need for a 5 gallon bucket turkey?
Plan for 1 gallon of brine per 4-5 pounds of turkey. A 20 pound turkey needs 4-5 gallons of brine – a full 5 gallon bucket.
Should I keep the turkey in the fridge while brining?
Yes, it is critical to keep the 5 gallon bucket with the turkey submerged in brine refrigerated at 40°F or below. This prevents bacterial growth.
How long should I brine a turkey in a 5 gallon bucket?
Whole turkeys take 12-24 hours in brine depending on size. Estimate 1 hour of brining time per pound, with a minimum of 8-12 hours for flavor to penetrate.
Can I reuse the turkey brine?
No, you should never reuse brine. The raw turkey juices present bacteria risks. Discard it after use.
What about brining a kosher or pre-brined turkey?
Kosher and pre-brined turkeys already contain salt and do not benefit from further brining. You can still soak in broth for added flavor.
Can I brine a frozen turkey in a 5 gallon bucket?
Do not brine frozen turkeys. The brine will not penetrate the frozen meat. Always thaw first.
What if my turkey doesn’t fit in a 5 gallon bucket?
Look for larger 7-10 gallon food-safe containers if your turkey is over 20 pounds. Or brine in two buckets, splitting the bird.
Get Your Turkey in the Brine
Brining in a 5 gallon bucket is an easy, reliable way to get a juicy, seasoned turkey ready for the holidays. Follow safe plastic selection, prep, and refrigeration, and the bucket will serve you well for years of outstanding turkey. Focus your holiday efforts on side dishes and let the 5 gallon bucket handle the brining!
Frequency of Entities:
5 gallon bucket: 20
turkey: 18
brine: 13
brining: 7
Using Leftover Turkey Brine
While you can’t reuse any turkey brine mixture that has come in contact with the turkey itself, you can save extra liquid from the stockpot. Use the brine for more turkey (try it with turkey breast) or another meat (like those listed above), or freeze it for later.
This is the year of the juiciest turkey EVER.
It’s so scrumptious, once Thanksgiving is over, you’ll want to make a Christmas turkey brine too!
A careful cleanup is critical after you wet brine your turkey. First, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the entire process. Next, you should scrub your sink with super hot water and lots of soap after you rinse the turkey. If your turkey dripped on your countertops at all, make sure you use a sanitizing cleaner to disinfect it as well. Your brining bucket will also require a deep cleaning with scalding hot water, lots of soap, and a scrubbing sponge.
While you need to rinse the wet brine off of a turkey AFTER it has brined, do not rinse your turkey prior to brining. Rinsing does not effectively remove bacteria; rather, it is more likely to spread it.
As long as your turkey will be fully thawed when it’s time for it to go in the oven, you can brine a frozen turkey. If you are unsure, thawed is best to be on the safe side.
A flavorful, brined turkey will certainly be the star of your Thanksgiving spread, but you still need to serve stellar sides. Check out my ultimate list of Thanksgiving Side Dishes for inspiration. You’ll find cranberries, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, and so much more!
Wet Turkey Brine Ingredients
The only two 100% necessary ingredients in a wet turkey brine are water and salt, but if that’s all you use, you miss an opportunity to add extra flavor to the turkey.
Instead of only water, I make my turkey brine with apple cider or apple juice, then add whole spices, citrus, herbs, and brown sugar.
- Kosher Salt. You MUST use kosher salt, which is coarser than table salt. Table salt is iodized to keep it free flowing and will give a metallic taste to your turkey.