Basic Brine

This is based off of several brine recipes I've found. I combined them together and lets just say I couldn't stop eating even though I was full. I've used this for poultry, pork & beef. I always leave stuff in to brine over night but you can find brining suggestions here: http://www.cookshack.com/store/Smokin-Okies-101-Series/Brining-101

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 1/2 gallon

Ingredients

• 8  cups water
• 4  garlic cloves
• 4  bay leaves
• 1  tablespoon black peppercorns
• 2⁄3 cup kosher salt or 2⁄3 cup pickling salt
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar or 3⁄4 cup white sugar or 3⁄4 cup light brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 1  teaspoon allspice (optional)
• 2  sprigs thyme (optional)

Directions

1. Some say to chop up the garlic others say leave it whole. Either way works.
2. Add all ingredients to water and bring it to a boil.
3. Stir occasionally, reduce heat to simmer till all sugar & salt has been dissolved.
4. Let cool to safe temperatures before adding the meat.