Can You Start Brining a Frozen Turkey?

Brining is a popular technique for producing exceptionally moist, flavorful turkey But is it possible to brine a turkey that is still frozen? The short answer is yes – you can absolutely start brining a frozen turkey. However, there are some important guidelines to follow

Overview of Brining a Turkey

Brining involves soaking the raw turkey in a saltwater solution, which helps season the meat and makes it incredibly juicy. The brine penetrates deep into the turkey breast to boost moisture.

Typically brining requires thawing the turkey completely first. But it is possible to brine a frozen bird – the brine will help thaw the turkey gradually while infusing flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Brining a Frozen Turkey

Follow these tips for successfully brining a frozen turkey

Use a cooler or large container – You’ll need ample room to submerge the frozen turkey in brine. A clean cooler works perfectly.
Mix the brine – Dissolve 1 cup salt and 1/2 cup sugar per gallon of cool water. You can add spices, herbs or citrus too.
Place turkey in brine breast side down – This allows brine to penetrate into the thicker breast meat.
Weight the turkey if needed – Use a plate topped with canned goods to keep turkey fully submerged.
Refrigerate – Keep cooler in the fridge so turkey thaws gradually at a safe temperature.
Brush off ice crystals – Dunking the frozen turkey in the brine may cause some ice crystals to form on the skin. Remove these by rubbing with a paper towel.
Brine 24 hours per 5 pounds – A 15 lb turkey will need 60-75 hours brining time.
Flip turkey halfway – Turn turkey over so the breast side is up during second half of brining.
Cook as usual – Roast the brined thawed turkey normally, until 165°F at the thigh.

Helpful Tips for Brining a Frozen Bird

Chill brine before adding frozen turkey so it stays cold.
Use a thermometer and don’t let brine exceed 40°F during thawing.
Weigh down turkey to keep fully submerged in brine if needed.
Thaw only 1-2 days in fridge if short on time, then complete brining.
Brush off any ice crystals from skin before cooking for crispiest skin.
Discard used brine after thawing and brining are complete.

FAQs About Brining a Frozen Turkey

Is it necessary to brine a frozen turkey?

Brining is optional but highly recommended for exceptionally moist, seasoned meat. Brining a frozen turkey produces the same benefits.

How long can you brine a frozen turkey?

Figure 1 day of brining time per 5 pounds of turkey weight. So a 15 pound bird needs 60-75 hours of brining while frozen.

What if my turkey isn’t fully thawed after brining?

If turkey is still partially frozen after the full brining time, thaw remaining 1-2 days in the refrigerator before roasting.

Can I stuff my frozen brined turkey?

No, stuffing should only go into a fully thawed turkey right before roasting so it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Is it safe to brine a frozen turkey at room temperature?

No, only brine in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for food safety. Use a cooler and thermometer to monitor temperature.

Conclusion

While unconventional, brining a frozen turkey can give you incredibly tender, flavorful results. Follow the guidelines to keep the turkey and brine chilled at a safe temperature throughout the thawing and brining process. With ample brining time, your turkey will thaw gradually and absorb the seasoned brine beautifully.

can you start brining a frozen turkey

How to Thaw a Turkey

There are 3 ways to defrost the turkey, one is a great idea, one is a good idea, and one is a definite no-go.

How to Use a Refrigerator to Thaw a Turkey

The best way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. Pull the bird out of the freezer and put it breast side up in a pan in the fridge. Keeping it cool as it defrosts helps retain natural flavor and juices. It takes around 4 hours per pound to defrost it in the refrigerator. Keep it sealed and in a pan to catch any liquid that may seep out. The turkey will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

How Long Does it Take

1 day for up to a 7 pound turkey
2 days for an 8 – 12 pound turkey
3 days for a 12 – 16 pound turkey
4 days for a 16 – 20 pound turkey
5 days for a 20 – 24 pound turkey

How to Use Cold Water to Thaw a Turkey

A quick way to defrost a turkey is in the sink, submerged in cold water. This is a good way to thaw a turkey, however, Tommy the turkey needs to be babysat. The cold water must be changed out every 30 minutes with new cold water. It takes approximately 30 minutes per pound to thaw. It is imperative that the bird is consistently in cold water so it may retain the flavor and juices. This prevents the bird from getting warm or forming dry spots which can make sections of the bird dry out when cooked. When thawing a turkey in cold water, you must cook it immediately after. Thaw time:

How Long Does it Take

2 – 4 hours for a 4 – 7 pound turkey
4 – 6 hours for 8 – 12 pound turkey
6 – 8 hours for 12 – 16 pound turkey
8 – 10 hours for 16 – 20 pound turkey
10 – 12 hours for 20 – 24 pound turkey

Thawing a Turkey in the Microwave

Thawing a turkey in the microwave is not a good idea, nor would we recommend it. There’s no way to ensure the bird will thaw evenly, and when a bird is slightly warmed, salmonella begins to run wild.

Foodborne bacteria can begin to grow at 40°F and meat will spoil if kept anywhere above this and up to 140°F while it’s raw. The average refrigerator temperature should never be above 40°F, it should hover around 35°F for optimal refrigeration. The most vital tip to thawing a turkey is to avoid a warm turkey at all costs. (We hope you didn’t just remember that you left yours in the trunk). Turkey should never be left out for more than 2 hours on the counter. It is ok if the center of the bird is still a bit frozen when you begin to fire that baby up.

Cold defrosting a turkey keeps the fresh flavor in so that it’s only unleashed during the cooking process. When it is cooking, the meat will stay tender, moist, and the natural flavors will be released.

How to Thaw and Brine a Turkey

U.S. History books record that the first presidential pardon ever given was by Harry Truman in 1947, to a turkey. Now, in honor of this pardon, 2 turkeys are spared annually. If your turkey hasn’t received the Presidential pardon, it’s time to get to prepping for Turkey Day.

If you haven’t purchased a turkey, today is the day. Race out and grab one as soon as possible to avoid a MAYDAY situation tomorrow. A wild turkey can run 25 mph at top speed, which is about as fast as an Olympic track star. So, if you have planned ahead, and have beat out the other turkeys to the store, you get a gold medal in Thanksgiving prep.

Tom the turkey likes to be the center of attention, he is ready and waiting to make you a Turkey Day hero. Let’s transform him into the most delicious bird your friends and family have ever partaken of. So shake that turkey leg and follow these simple steps to defrost the turkey and prep it for its brine bath. The key is to get started a day or two before Thanksgiving Day.