Should you brine your turkey? I say: YES! Not only can you prepare the brine in just 15 minutes, but my all-purpose recipe calls for easy-to-get ingredients.
It’s a versatile brine recipe can be used on pork, chicken, turkey and even fish. You can customize and make your own. Brining is recommended for cuts of meat that benefit from extra moisture, such as lean cuts that can dry out easily.
How long should you brine your turkey, pork chops and chicken? For optimal moisture and flavor, I recommend brining overnight, or a minimum of at least 4 hours.
When I was talking to my instagram bestie, Nikki from @beachgirlgrills , who is the brining Queen, she gave me her thoughts on Brining:
“Brines are an easy canvas to play with and discover infinite ingredient combinations. The magic of brining is twofold, the ability to infuse subtle flavor while imparting the meat with maximum moisture. It’s easy to change up even the most basic brine by swapping out the salt and sugar components for something with a little more depth like soy sauce, Worcestershire, honey, or maple syrup. Even a portion of the water can be replaced by pineapple juice, pickle juice, apple cider, or beer. Then it’s all about having fun with aromatics, garlic, ginger, the warmth of a cinnamon stick or cloves, the sassy kick of peppers, or bright acidic pop of citrus.”
~Nicole Stover, my instagram bestie over at BeachGirlGrills
What will be the first thing you’ll try to brine? If you’re going to brine your turkey this year, this is an easy recipe to get started with and you can customize it and make it your own adding your favorite herbs and spices. If you use this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on instagram over @grillgirlrobyn .
And if you need inspiration for your next Turkey, I’ve got you covered! Check out my “how to cook Turkey on the grill” article, followed by my lemon sage spatchcocked turkey recipe to set you up for Turkey Grilling Success!!
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All Purpose Brine Recipe
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: Makes enough brine for a pork shoulder, pork loin, whole chicken
Description
If you are wondering if brining makes a difference, the answer is, Yes, it does! Brining is the easiest way to keep your lean cuts of meat juicy! This easy, all purpose recipe can be made in 15 minutes and can be customized with your favorite ingredients. Add your special touch!
Ingredients
- 10 cups water
- ¾ cup sea salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- 2 tbsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- Orange rind (optional)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes, just long enough to let the salt and sugar dissolve. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use. For optimal moisture, brine protein overnight or a minimum of 4 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Meats
- Method: Brine
Need some inspiration for your next cook? We’ve got you covered!
