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During the holidays, what better way to celebrate than by treating your loved ones to a mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey?
If you’re looking to up your culinary game and leave a lasting impression on your guests, consider trying out my Apple Cider Turkey Brine recipe. Just a few simple ingredients and some time will completely transform your turkey.
Once you taste turkey that has been brined in this mixture, I’m convinced you will agree it is the best turkey brine recipe. Be sure to check out all of my other Thanksgiving recipes to plan your entire feast!
Table of Contents
- Why Choose an Apple Cider Turkey Brine?
- The Brining Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Create the Brine Mixture
- Step 2: Prepare the Turkey
- Step 3: Add Brine and Ice
- Step 4: Let the Brine Do It’s Magic
- Recipe Tip
- FAQs
- Other Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
- Apple Cider Turkey Brine Recipe
Why Choose an Apple Cider Turkey Brine?
- A Symphony of Flavors– The star of this recipe is, undoubtedly, the unfiltered apple cider. Unlike the sharpness of apple cider vinegar, using pure apple cider imparts a subtle sweetness and a depth of flavor to the turkey. This natural sweetness is balanced by the savory notes from kosher salt, creating a brine that harmonizes beautifully with the poultry.
- Enhanced Moisture Retention– One of the primary reasons to brine a turkey is to ensure a moist and succulent end result. The salt in the brine works its magic by altering the protein structure of the meat, allowing it to retain more moisture during the cooking process. The apple cider adds an extra layer of moisture and flavor. The brining process ensures that the turkey stays moist during cooking, and the result is a crispy skin that gives way to incredibly tender and flavorful meat.
The Brining Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you opt for a fresh turkey from your local grocery store or a frozen one, ensure it is fully thawed before beginning the brining process. A frozen turkey will require up to a week of refrigeration to be fully thawed.
Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity of the turkey and use them to make the best turkey giblet gravy.
Step 1: Create the Brine Mixture
In a large stockpot, combine the apple cider, kosher salt, black peppercorns, allspice, cloves, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to let the salt dissolve completely. Allow the brine to fully chill in the refrigerator. This step can be done in advance.
Step 2: Prepare the Turkey
Place the whole turkey in a brining bag, breast side down. Stuff the cavity with the orange quarters.
Step 3: Add Brine and Ice
Pour the chilled brine over the turkey. Add the ice to the bag.
Step 4: Let the Brine Do It’s Magic
Removing as much air as possible out of the bag, twist the bag shut, and secure it with a clip. Place the brined turkey in the refrigerator (if it will fit) or in a large cooler. Let the turkey brine for 12-24 hours for the best results.
When you’re ready to cook the turkey, you’ll need to remove it from the brine solution and remove and discard the orange wedges. Be sure to discard brine as well.
You will also need to pat the turkey dry to ensure a crispy skin. The easiest way to do this is to line a very large bowl or rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set the rinsed turkey on top. You can then pat it dry with additional paper towels.
Recipe Tip
I like to use my water bath canning pot because it’s the perfect size and very light weight. For the bag, I highly recommend using a turkey roasting oven bag. You can find them at the grocery store in the same aisle where the disposable aluminum roasting pans are. They’re food grade quality and big enough.
FAQs
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider in the brine?
No, it’s essential to use unfiltered apple cider for its natural sweetness. Apple cider vinegar has a sharper taste and won’t provide the same flavor profile.
Can I brine a frozen turkey?
You can buy a frozen turkey, but you mustensure the turkey is fully thawed before brining. Brining a frozen turkey can result in uneven brining and potential food safety issues.
How long should I brine the turkey?
For optimal results, brine the turkey for 18-24 hours. This allows the flavors to infuse and ensures the meat stays moist during cooking.
Can I brine a turkey in a regular pot instead of a brining bag?
Yes, you can use a large pot, but a brining bag is recommended for even distribution of the brine and easy refrigeration.
Do I need to rinse the turkey after brining?
No, it’s not necessary to rinse the turkey after brining. Pat it dry with paper towels before roasting to achieve a crispy skin.
Can I use sea salt instead of kosher salt?
Yes, you can use sea salt as a substitute for kosher salt. Use the same measurement, as they have similar saltiness levels.
What’s the purpose of adding ice cubes to the brining bag?
Ice cubes help maintain a cool temperature in the brining environment. It’s crucial to keep the brine cool for food safety and optimal results.
Can I add additional herbs to the brine for more flavor?
Absolutely! Experiment with herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage to personalize the flavor profile of your turkey.
What should the internal temperature of the turkey be after roasting?
The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) as measured by an instant-read thermometer for a perfectly cooked turkey.
Can I use this brine for a smaller turkey or just turkey breasts?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for smaller turkeys or turkey breasts. You can adjust the brine quantities for larger turkeys. Ensure the meat is fully submerged for even flavor infusion.
Other Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Now that you’ve made the most flavorful moist turkey, here are more recipes that will complete your Thanksgiving spread.
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Sausage Stuffing
- Cornbread Dressing
- Wild Mushroom Stuffing
- Krissy’s Sweet Potato Casserole
- Candied Yams
- Perfect Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Broccoli
- Fresh Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh Cranberry Gelatin Mold
- Dutch Apple Pie
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Apple Cider Turkey Brine
Prep15 minutes mins
Cook5 minutes mins
Brine time18 hours hrs
Total18 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Servings 16 people
Author Krissy Allori
This easy-to-make Turkey Brine recipe is made with lots of apple cider, salt, and all the right spices. Your turkey will be so incredibly moist and delicious.
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Equipment
brining bag turkey roasting bag works great
water canning pot or large bucket to help hold the brining bag
large cooler if there's not enough space in the refrigerator
Ingredients
Turkey Brine:
- 8 cups apple cider unfiltered recommended (NOT apple cider vinegar)
- 2/3 cup kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns coarsely crushed
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice coarsely crushed
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 cups ice
Turkey:
- 12 pound turkey ensure its fully thawed if previously frozen, turkey size can vary, double the brine recipe for turkeys 20+ pounds
- 2 valencia oranges quartered
Instructions
Combine apple cider, salt, peppercorns, allspice, cloves, and bay leaves in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes until salt dissolves. Cool completely in refrigerator.
Remove giblets and neck from turkey, refrigerate until ready to use, and reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a large stockpot. Place turkey inside bag. Add cold cider mixture and ice. Squeeze as much air out of bag as possible. twist top and secure with twist tie or tuck end so that it stays put. Refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours, turning turkey occasionally.
Once done, remove turkey from bag and discard brine and orange quarters. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
Cook turkey using your favorite method.
Notes
- Nutritional information is based on the brine only, but you don’t really eat the brine, so I’m not sure why I bothered.
- I use my canning pot to hold the turkey with the brine. It works perfectly and fits on the bottom shelf of my refrigerator as long as I clear everything else out.
Nutrition
Calories: 57kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 4721mg, Potassium: 132mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 3IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave me acomment below
This post was originally created in 2019 but has been updated to include more helpful information. The recipe has remained unchanged.
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Hi! I’m Krissy.
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