Things You'll Need:
- Turkey
- Water
- Salt
- Seasonings (if desired)
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Step 1
The first step in brining a turkey is to clean out the cavity of the turkey and rinse the turkey well. The turkey must already be totally thawed out. The turkey should not be a kosher turkey or a self-basting turkey. These turkeys already contain salt and brining may make your turkey too salty. The entire brining procedure is done the evening before you plan to cook the turkey.
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Step 2
Place the turkey into a container large enough so that you can cover the turkey with water. This container will need to go into your refrigerator overnight (or for several hours). Plan on 1 hour of brining time for each pound your turkey weighs.
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Step 3
Make your brining mixture by adding 1 cup of salt for each gallon of water it takes to cover your turkey. Add enough to go over the top of your turkey by at least 1 inch. Place the container into the refrigerator.
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Step 4
Let the turkey sit in the mixture overnight. Be sure not to exceed the time of 1 hour per pound, or your turkey could be too salty.
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Step 5
If you do not have a container large enough, a cooler can be used. Simply put some baggies filled with ice into the cooler to keep it cool.
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Step 6
When your turkey is ready to cook, remove it from the brine and rinse it well with cold water. Make sure to remove all traces of salt from the cavity and the skin. You are now ready to roast it. Once you have tried this brining method, you will be hooked. Your turkey will be moist and delish!
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Step 7
For instructions on roasting the perfect turkey, see "How to Roast a Perfect Turkey".
Comments
jgallaherdesign said
on 11/24/2009 This is a great article! Thanks for the eHow! cant wait for thursday!
stichbug said
on 11/23/2009 Very good to know, I look foward to giving this a try myself