Summary Buy a 12-14 pound Butterball self-basting turkey. Brine for 8-12 hours or overnight. Apply your favorite rub inside and out. Smoke at 325-350°F until 160-165°F in the breast, 170-175°F in the thigh, approximately 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Collect the pan drippings for making gravy.
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People also ask,Is it possible to over brine a Turkey?
It is possible to over brine meat. If you leave it in too long it will get too salty. If you use a more dilute brine it won’t get as salty but you will wash out more of the natural flavor into the water as well. You could submerge your turkey in its packaging in ice water in a cooler for a day before brining.
Subsequently, question is,What is the best brine for Turkey?
Holiday Poultry Brine Claire Cohen The candied ginger and allspice give this brine a unique flavor that is perfect for your holiday turkey. By cooking the salt, sugar, and spices in vegetable stock you get extra flavor with a mild saltiness that makes for a perfect brine.
Keeping this in consideration,How do i brine a Turkey correctly?
How to Wet Brine TurkeyCreate the brine by dissolving 1-1/2 cups of kosher salt (or 1 cup of table salt) into 6 quarts of water. …If you’re adding additional ingredients to brine, like sugar, herbs and other aromatics, mix the salt and additional ingredients with 2 quarts of water. …Remove the turkey from the packaging and set aside the neck and giblets for making gravy. …More items…
What does it mean to brine a Turkey?
A turkey brine is a brine in which a turkey is soaked prior to cooking. Brining imparts more flavor to the turkey, and can also be used with other white meats such as chicken and pork, in addition to birds such as goose. Brining is often recommended for meats which tend to overcook, as a way of keeping the meat moist while adding flavor.
What are the pros and cons of brining a Turkey?
Brining a turkey adds moisture and flavor, particularly when you use a flavorful brine. Brines can include all sorts of flavorings including herbs and spices, making the turkey taste like far more than your average roast bird. But perhaps the biggest pro of brining the turkey is doing away with that dry bird that so many are used to.
When to remove Turkey from brine before roasting?
Remove the turkey from the brine one hour before you plan to roast, and rinse under cold water. Pat dry inside and out. Be sure to clean your sink afterwards to avoid cross contamination. Let the brined turkey stand on the roasting rack for up to one hour before roasting.
Is it worth it to brine a Turkey for Thanksgiving?
The latter most of all is the source of some polemic: after all, while many extol the benefits of brining a turkey, it can seem like a lot of work, and many wonder if it’s really worth the effort. Brining a turkey for Thanksgiving has as many strong proponents as people who say it’s just not worth it.
Why are turkeys injected with sodium After brining?
The reason for this is that most frozen turkeys are typically injected with a sodium solution to help them freeze well, and brining an already-injected turkey can often result in an inedible bird (I’ve learned this the hard way.) Fresh turkeys are typically not preserved this way.
What kind of salt do you use to brine a Turkey?
The basic ratio for a wet turkey brine is to use 2 cups of kosher salt or coarse sea salt for every 2 gallons of water. Remove giblets and neck from turkey and add to prepared container.
Why do you have to brine Turkey to make it moist?
Brining, or soaking meat in a salt-water solution, uses the power of osmosis to force the turkey or other meat to draw up water into itself. The theory is that the meat ends up juicier and moister that way.
How long to refrigerate Turkey in brining bag?
Put a 14 to 16 pound turkey in a brining bag fitted inside a large stock pot, then pour the brine into the bag to cover the turkey. Refrigerate at least 12 and up to 24 hours.
Why do you need to pre salt a Turkey?
For the same reason brining works—osmosis—so, too, does pre-salting. In this case, a well-salted turkey holds onto its own natural juices, leading to a moist, flavorful bird. To get effects similar to brining, the pre-salting needs to be done, much like brining, well in advance.
How to make a salt water brine for meat?
To make a basic saltwater brine, measure out 1 gallon of water for every 6 pounds of meat. Next, add 1 cup of salt for each gallon of water you used and stir the mixture thoroughly. Then, submerge the meat in the brine and place it in the refrigerator.
How long to soak pickles in water to dilute flavor?
Soak fermented pickles in water to help dilute the flavor concentration. Start by dumping out the liquid the pickles are currently in and replacing it with fresh water. You only need to let your pickles soak for about 10 to 30 minutes depending on how sour they are. Taste the pickles every ten minutes to make sure they do not get too diluted.
Why do you need to remove water from meat when brining?
By definition brining should remove water from the meat as the salt(/sugar) solution is a low water concentraton compared to the concentration of the salts and sugar in the meat. The meat would have a high water concentration so water would leave by osmosis.
What are the benefits of using brine for Turkey?
But perhaps the biggest pro of brining the turkey is doing away with that dry bird that so many are used to. The salt in the brine changes the muscle tissue of the turkey so that it can absorb more water and therefore more flavor .
Is brining a Turkey bad for You?
When you brine your turkey, you don’t just risk over-salty flavors. Sodium is linked to high blood pressure and heart complications. While the extent of the effect it will have on you depends on your body’s response to salt, it’s best to limit your intake, especially if either of those health concerns runs in your family.
What’s the ratio of salt to water for brine?
The basic ratio for any wet brine is 1 cup of salt to 1 gallon of water. If you’re feeling fancy, throw in some smashed garlic cloves, peppercorns, citrus (also smashed), or even a sweetener like honey or brown sugar.
Is brining a Turkey bad for You?
When you brine your turkey, you don’t just risk over-salty flavors. Sodium is linked to high blood pressure and heart complications. While the extent of the effect it will have on you depends on your body’s response to salt, it’s best to limit your intake, especially if either of those health concerns runs in your family.