Thanksgiving turkey recipes have sure come a long way. Thanksgiving dinner, in general, has come a long way!
Simple brine for turkey can be as easy as dissolving salt in water or as complicated as a two-day process of an herb infused brine and then allowing for an air dry for the perfect, crispy turkey skin.
Is it worth it to brine a turkey? I think so! Many others would agree with me. While there lots of ways to keep your turkey moist and succulent, brining is probably the best way. It adds flavor from the skin to the bone- no rub or injection offers that.
Brining a turkey before roasting or cooking is a great way to help ensure a juicy, flavorful bird. But exactly how long should you brine a turkey to get the best results? Here’s a guide to optimal brining times based on turkey size.
Why Brine a Turkey?
Brining a turkey serves a few key purposes:
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It keeps the turkey meat incredibly moist and juicy during cooking The salt in the brine solution helps the turkey retain more moisture
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It infuses the turkey with lots of extra flavor The salt, spices, herbs and other ingredients in the brine permeate deep into the meat.
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It helps lead to crispy skin. Letting the brined turkey air dry in the fridge after removes excess surface moisture.
So brining really helps take your turkey to the next level!
How Long to Brine Based on Turkey Size
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to let the turkey brine for at least 1 hour per pound of turkey. Here are some guidelines for brining times based on turkey weight:
- 12–14-lb. turkey: 16–18 hours.
- 14–16-lb. turkey: 18–20 hours.
- 16–18-lb. turkey: 20–22 hours.
- 18–20-lb. turkey: 22–24 hours.
So for example, if you have a 15 lb turkey, let it brine for about 15-18 hours
These time ranges allow for full brine absorption and flavor infusion. Much less time and the brine doesn’t have a chance to work its magic. Too much longer, and the meat can get too salty.
If you only have time for a quick brine, even just 2-4 hours can make a difference. But for the best, juiciest results, use the 1 hour per pound rule.
Tips for Successful Turkey Brining
Here are some top tips to ensure your brined turkey is a masterpiece:
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Use a non-reactive container like a plastic bucket or pot to brine. Don’t use metal containers which can react with the salt.
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Make sure the turkey is fully submerged in the brine. Weigh it down with a plate if needed.
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Chill the brine before adding the turkey. Putting the turkey in warm brine may start cooking it.
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Rinse the turkey well after brining and pat it completely dry. This removes excess salt.
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Let the brined turkey air dry uncovered in the fridge for 6-12 hours. This helps get crispy skin.
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Cook your brined turkey soon after. Don’t let it sit for more than a day or the skin may get slimy.
Delicious Brine Ingredients
While a basic brine only requires water and salt, you can add all sorts of flavor with extra ingredients like:
- Whole spices: bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice berries
- Chopped herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage
- Citrus: lemon, lime, orange slices or zest
- Aromatics: smashed garlic, onion, celery, carrots
- Sweeteners: brown sugar, maple syrup, honey
- Liquids: apple cider, fruit juices, wine
Get creative and add the flavors you love!
Easy Brine Recipes
If you don’t want to come up with your own brine recipe, here are some easy pre-mixed brines to try:
Simple Salt Brine
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 gallon water
- Herbs and spices of choice
Apple Brine
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- 6 sprigs thyme
Citrus Brine
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 gallon water
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I brine a turkey for?
It’s hard to over-brine a turkey. But for ideal moisture and texture, stick to the 1 hour per pound rule. Over 48 hours may make it too salty.
Can I brine a frozen turkey?
Only brine a fully thawed turkey. The brine can’t properly penetrate frozen meat. Defrost first.
Should I rinse a brined turkey?
Yes, always rinse the turkey under cool water after brining, then pat it completely dry. This removes excess salt from the surface.
Can I stuff a brined turkey?
Absolutely! Brining helps keep stuffed turkeys even moister. Just make sure to stuff right before roasting, not ahead of time.
What’s the best way to cook a brined turkey?
Brined turkey can be roasted, smoked, grilled or fried. Roasting at 325°F to an internal temp of 165°F is a classic.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Brined Bird
Brining is one of the best ways to guarantee a juicy, delicious turkey! Follow the guidelines on brining times, rinse well, and pat dry for the ideal brined turkey. Then cook up your bird and impress your guests with the juiciest Thanksgiving or holiday turkey ever.
How to make this Turkey Brine Recipe
- Prep the actual bird, removing all of the innards and any super loose skin that might be dangling off. Set aside until the brine is ready.
- Bring the water to a boil and then whisk in all of the seasonings and salt. Using hot water helps the salt dissolve and flavors to infuse the water. Allow to cool fully- putting the turkey in hot water will just cook it and we aren’t ready for that yet!
- When brine has reached room temperature carefully transfer the liquid and the turkey to wherever you plan to store it. Place in refrigerator for 24 hours. *
- Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse with cold water, this removed excess salt so it won’t be too salty. Pat dry and then prepare your turkey according to desired recipe.
How long do I brine turkey? The short answer is overnight up to 24 hours and this is dependant on how large your turkey is. A bigger bird needs more time to soak.
Can you brine a turkey too long? It is relatively hard to hurt the turkey, but yes, you can brine for too long. The result will be a tougher and salty bird. I recommend only 24 hours for a large turkey. For a super large bird you can push it a little longer. Brining a turkey for too long will make it too salty and the texture tough and spongy. You have to find the sweet spot.
How to store Turkey Brine
How much turkey brine do I need? You need about 1 gallon for every 10 pounds of turkey. This turkey brine is for a 12 pound bird, but then you also need to take into account the size of the vessel you’ll be using to let it sit- a large cooler needs a lot more space than a stock pot. Aim for the whole bird to be covered in the saltwater solution. Make sure you have enough brine, but if you have too much, just get rid of the rest of the water.
Where do I brine my turkey? You can most likely have some something to brine a turkey in at home. There are three main ways people use: a brining bag, a large pot or a cooler. You can also use a roasting bag as long as it isn’t permeable.
