Should I Brine a Boneless Turkey Breast? Here’s Why You Should

Brining a boneless turkey breast is a great way to ensure moist, flavorful meat, especially if you are cooking a turkey breast roast for Thanksgiving or other holidays. There are several benefits to brining boneless turkey breast that make it worth the extra time and effort.

What is Brining and How Does it Work?

Brining involves soaking meat in a saltwater solution (the brine) before cooking The brine is typically made by dissolving salt and sugar in water along with aromatics like spices, herbs, and citrus

When the raw turkey breast is immersed in the brine, the salt helps the meat retain moisture and absorbs some of the flavors from the brine. This improves both the texture and flavor of the cooked turkey.

The salt causes the protein fibers in the meat to unwind and allow the turkey breast to hold on to more moisture. The sugars also help retain juiciness. The result is a turkey breast that is incredibly moist, tender and packed with flavor when roasted.

Why Should You Brine a Boneless Turkey Breast?

Here are the key benefits of brining a boneless, skinless turkey breast:

• Prevents dry, stringy meat: Without brining, boneless turkey breast easily dries out and becomes stringy when cooked. Brining ensures a juicy, tender texture.

• Infuses flavor: The brine seasons the turkey breast all the way through, not just on the surface. You get flavor in every bite.

• It’s easy: Brining a boneless breast is much simpler than brining a whole turkey. It also cooks faster.

• Adds juiciness: The salt and sugar in the brine help the turkey breast retain moisture as it cooks.

• Enhances tenderness: Brining helps break down some of the proteins in the meat, resulting in a more tender turkey breast.

• Boosts flavor: In addition to salt, sugars and aromatics like herbs permeate the meat, giving it more flavor.

• Works great for leftovers: Brined turkey makes excellent leftovers that stay moist. It’s fantastic for sandwiches, wraps, salads and casseroles.

How Long to Brine a Boneless Turkey Breast

The rule of thumb for brining time is about 1 hour per pound. A 2-3 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast will need to brine for 2-3 hours minimum, but longer is better.

For the juiciest results, it’s best to brine a boneless turkey breast overnight or 12-24 hours if you have time. This really allows the brine to fully penetrate and flavor the meat.

You can also quickly brine a turkey breast for just a few hours. While not ideal, even a short brine is better than no brine at all when it comes to keeping the breast meat nice and moist.

Simple Brine Recipe for Boneless Turkey Breast

Brining a boneless turkey breast is easy since you can use a pot or sealable plastic bag versus needing a large container to fit a whole bird.

Here is an easy basic brine recipe:

Brine Ingredients:

• 1 gallon water
• 1⁄2 cup kosher salt
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• Sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary and sage (or 2 teaspoons dried herbs)
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced

Instructions:

1. Combine water, salt, sugar, peppercorns and bay leaves in a pot and heat until salt and sugar dissolve.
2. Remove from heat and add fresh herb sprigs and citrus slices. Let cool completely.
3. Place turkey breast in brine liquid inside a container or sealable bag.
4. Refrigerate for 8-24 hours.
5. Remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Discard brine.
6. Roast turkey breast as desired until 165oF internal temperature.

The citrus and herbs infuse the turkey breast with bright, aromatic flavors while the salt keeps it incredibly moist and juicy.

Tips for Brining a Boneless Turkey Breast

• Chill the brine completely before adding the turkey.
• Use a non-reactive container like plastic or glass. Metal can react with the brine.
• Make sure the turkey breast is fully submerged in the liquid.
• Brine in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth.
• Rinse off the turkey and pat dry after brining before cooking.
• Avoid reusing a brine more than once. Make a fresh batch each time.

How to Cook a Brined Boneless Turkey Breast

After brining, roast the boneless turkey breast in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165oF.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Pat turkey breast dry and rub with olive oil or butter. Season with desired herbs and spices.
3. Place turkey breast in a roasting pan, skin-side up if using skin-on.
4. Roast for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound, until 165oF on a meat thermometer.
5. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

The brined boneless turkey breast will turn out incredibly moist, tender and full of flavor.

Serving Brined Boneless Turkey Breast

Brined boneless turkey breast is extremely versatile. Here are some serving ideas:

• Slice and serve as the main dish with classic Thanksgiving or holiday sides.

• Use for turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, lettuce, and mayo.

• Dice or shred for salads, wraps, tacos, casseroles, and soups.

• Pair slices with roasted veggies and pasta or grain bowls.

• Top with gravy for turkey dinner any night of the week.

• Stuff a brined turkey breast for a spectacular entree.

Make Ahead and Store Brined Turkey Breast

One of the benefits of brining boneless turkey breast is that you can prep it 1-2 days in advance:

• Brine the turkey 1-2 days before cooking.

• Roast turkey breast, let cool completely and refrigerate overnight.

• The next day, reheat gently in the oven or slice cold for sandwiches and salads.

Leftover roasted brined turkey will keep refrigerated for 4-5 days. Slice, dice or shred leftovers and store in airtight containers.

You can also portion turkey in freezer bags and freeze for 2-3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before using.

Brined Turkey Breast Provides Moist, Flavorful Meat

Brining is a simple process that infuses the turkey breast with moisture and flavor. While it does take some extra time upfront, the rewards are incredibly moist, tender and delicious turkey breast every time.

The next time you cook a boneless turkey breast, take the extra step to brine it first. Your family will thank you when they taste the juicy, flavor-packed results.