BabyUniversity.com › Forums › Home & Garden › Holidays & Special Occasions › Thanksgiving › Why brine a turkey?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Why brine a turkey?

post #1 of 9
11/21/09 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
I never heard of this until Heather mentioned it. I always rub my turkey down with margarine, salt, pepper and sometimes Mrs. Dash garlic and herb. Pop it in an oven bag and cook it. I never tried this brine thing. Does it make the turkey more moist? I've never had a problem with moist since I always use the bags. Just curious why I should do all this work that I am not currently doing and I still end up with a tasty bird.
Reply
post #2 of 9
11/21/09 at 11:55pm

Re: Why brine a turkey?

Hey Lenora... it really isn't that much work to brine a turkey. The reason why I brine them is because the turkey absorbs the liquid and the seasonings, so it goes throughout the entire bird. I use a bag after brining mine too... It does make them nice and moist, but so does the bag. For me it's a flavor thing, all of the meat gets well seasoned instead of just the parts that I can rub down.
Reply
post #3 of 9
11/23/09 at 4:18pm

Re: Why brine a turkey?

Yes I heard about it a few years ago from Alton Brown.

Here is just a basic Idea, I couldn't find the brine episode

Honey Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network
Reply
post #4 of 9
11/23/09 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Why brine a turkey?

I saw it on ABC news by some famous chef Emilio somebody. His recipe looks like what I would do if I were going to go to all that work instead of just bagging it.
Reply
post #5 of 9
11/23/09 at 9:28pm

Re: Why brine a turkey?

What I do is this...
I buy two jugs of CranApple (or whatever cranberry juice I like... this year I'm just using Apple juice) Juice.

I put it in the stockpot (a big one it has to hold the whole turkey too). Then I add 2 cups of kosher Salt, 2 cups of Sugar and whatever other seasonings I feel like using. (Which totally depends on my mood...). I stir it up to mix it well. Then I submerge the turkey in the liquid overnight. In the morning I pat it dry, pour some melted butter over top, then pop it in my roasting bag. You might need to adjust the seasoning if you have a smaller turkey, I always have a huge one.
Reply
post #6 of 9
11/23/09 at 10:18pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Why brine a turkey?

Here's the recipe I was thinking of: Thanksgiving Turkey Brine Recipe - ABC News

Only I would have to buy salt and juniper berries. I don't keep that much salt around very often.
Reply
post #7 of 9
11/24/09 at 2:25pm

Re: Why brine a turkey?

Lenora, that recipe looks yummy! May have to try it. Just not sure I have a pot/pan big enough for my 13/14 pound bird. And I will have to buy the bags. Are they expensive? Cash is non-existent till Friday, so I have very limited funds to work with in the bank.
Reply
post #8 of 9
11/24/09 at 3:41pm

Re: Why brine a turkey?

Brenda... if you have a cooler it will work too I don't think the bags cost very much, not sure...
Reply
post #9 of 9
11/24/09 at 6:44pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Why brine a turkey?

I think they are definitely under $3. I am not sure how much they cost. I keep forgetting I have them and buying more. I could give you some if you lived closer.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Thanksgiving
BabyUniversity.com › Forums › Home & Garden › Holidays & Special Occasions › Thanksgiving › Why brine a turkey?