Did you ever brine a turkey?

[Colleen]

I've been meaning to try this every year and I never get around to it. Have you ever soaked a turkey in ???? (I don't know what you soak it in!) over night?

I still have to pick out my turkey(s) for tomorrow and if I'd know what to do with it, I might brine it.

.....I'm off to conclude my final round of turkey butchering today: only 50! :lol: Compared to Mon and Tues, this *might* be a breeze!

[Holly]

I've never done it (of course I've never made a turkey before either) but here's a funny blog post about someone from the 4real boards who brined a turkey last year, http://cactusmouse.homeschooljournal.net/2007/02/25/an-adventure-in-brining/

[Michele WV]

We brined ours last year and are going to do it again this year....dh handled that aspect, but it seems to me we used water of course, lots of salt, some rosemary, sage and thyme. My turkey hating son loved the brined turkey because the meat had "flavor" instead of tasting like turkey:lol:

It wasn't that obvious to me, but it was nice and moist.

[Carol S]

We do. One year in particular, the bird really picked up the flavor of the herbs that were in the brine.

[Ronette in CA]

Oh yes! :yum: This is the solution I use:

Brine:
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 oranges, quartered
2 lemons, quartered
6 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs rosemary

To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a nonreactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, food grade plastic storage bag). Add the oranges, lemons, thyme, and rosemary. Note: if you have a big turkey and need more brine than this, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.

(It comes from Emeril Lagasse (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_84434,00.html)). It is incredibly delcious.:yum: I brine mine in a brand new bucket.:)

[Cheryl]

Exactly what we're doing, too, Ronette!!! My dh will be orchestrating the mixture, so he's been glued to Food Network this week, picking up last minute tips!:lol:

We did a similair brine last year and it is delicious!!:yum:

[shonda in ca]

I have used the Emeril recipe that Ronette posted 2 years in a row. I'm not doing it this year. I really didn't taste a difference. :unsure: I'm using a roasting bag for the first time this year. Sorry Gitel! :lol: Oh, and some years I cover the bird in bacon. I thought it looked kind of weird, but my dh liked eating the bacon.

[Oney]

My dh will be orchestrating the mixture, but he's been glued to Food Network this week, picking up last minute tips!:lol:


:lol: I love it!


I'm using a roasting bag for the first time this year. Sorry Gitel!

:lol:


I brined the turkey year before last and I believe I used Ronette's recipe. I do remember it was much more moist than other turkeys I've had but don't remember a huge flavor surge. :lol:

[Linda]

Yes! We've used one of Alton Brown's recipes for the brine and smoke sticks the last two years. :yum:

The turkey is soooo good! I'll see if I can find the recipe we've been using and post it for you. It's one of the more simpler brining recipes.

Here is the link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_29147,00.html

[Ronette in CA]

People! You must not be doing it right!:roflol:

Did you also put all the yummy stuff into the body cavity from the recipe when you roasted it? I'm telling you....my family goes on and on and on about the birds I've done with that recipe.:) It is the moistest, juicest, most delicious bird ever!

I guess I have the magic touched which would be interesting since I'm a lousy cook!:roflol:

[Sarah]

I wish I would have heard all of these delicious sounding recipes a month ago! I am too afraid to try something different for thankgiving. I am going to stock pile a few small turkeys when they go on sale Friday and try all these! :yum:
Maybe I'll do one for Christmas instead of the usual ham.

[Sheena]

I wish I could do this too:) But mom is making the turkey this year. Maybe I'll try one after Thanksgiving.

[LillianD]

I wish I would have heard all of these delicious sounding recipes a month ago! I am too afraid to try something different for thankgiving. I am going to stock pile a few small turkeys when they go on sale Friday and try all these! :yum:
Maybe I'll do one for Christmas instead of the usual ham.

That's what I was thinking! Sounds SOOO delicious, but I don't want to take a chance on something new with company coming. Maybe for fun and to try it out after the Turkey's go on sale.

[rachelmn]

I'm doing the same one as Ronette! I can't wait!

[Carol S]

We're using Alton's OTHER turkey brining recipe this year, but I'm going to save Ronette's and ask Tim to do that one next year. [Ever since we've lived here and had Thanksgiving to ourselves, Tim has taken charge of the turkey. :clap: Even though his folks are coming this year (:clap: again) he's still romancing the bird.)