Applying salt to an uncooked turkey, either by soaking in a water solution (wet brine) or by sprinkling salt directly on the bird ( dry brine) causes the protein strands in the meat to break down over time so the meat tenderizes, absorbs flavors, and retains moisture.
People also ask,What happens when you take a Turkey out of the brine?
By the time your turkey has finished brining, a fairly good amount of salt has settled on the skin. If you pull the turkey out of the brine and put it directly in the smoker, oven, fryer, or on the grill, the flavor of the meat would be very salty. This isn’t from the salt in the meat, but from the salt on the meat.
Subsequently, question is,How much salt does it take to make a brine?
To create a proper brine, you need 1 cup of table salt per gallon of water; this works out to 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water (16 cups in a gallon, 16 tablespoons in a cup). Not all salt is created equally.
In this way,How much water do you need to brine a Turkey?
Once the container is filled, remove the turkey and measure the water. Since the turkey is basically hollow, you’ll need to add a few extra cups of water to compensate for later when it is out of its wrapping. For a turkey under 16 pounds, add 2 cups of water to your measurement.
How long does it take to cook a brined Turkey?
Turkeys that are 12 to 18 pounds can take up to 4 1/2 hours, and large turkeys up to 24 pounds will require approximately 5 1/4 hours. These times are guidelines for brined turkeys, as well. The safest way to determine whether the turkey has been cooked safely is to use a meat thermometer.