Brine for Turkey

Depending on size of turkey, you may need to proportionally increase the brine recipe. This recipe is for a 14 – 16 pound turkey. I use a 5 gallon plastic painter's bucket with a lid. Mine is bright orange and clearly labeled "Turkey Brinning Only" in a permanent marker so DH wont use it for his projects! Use only with fresh trukeys that have nothing added.

• Ready In: 24 hrs 5 mins
• Yields: 2 1/2 gal.

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 gallons water
• 1 1⁄2 cups kosher salt
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  bay leaves, torn into pieces
• 1  bunch thyme
• 1  head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
• 5  allspice berries
• 4  crushed  juniper berries

Directions

1. Heat all until sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Chill completely.
3. When ready to brine turkey, select a pan that the turkey just fits into and pour in brine.
4. Keep turkey completely covered with brine.
5. You may submerge turkey 2-4 days.