Apple Turkey Brine Food

BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• To brine the turkey: Combine all of the ingredients for the brine in a large container. Add the turkey and let it brine in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• To prepare the turkey for cooking: Remove the turkey from the brine the night before roasting and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Combine the rosemary, sage, and butter for the herb crust in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Work the butter under the skin of the turkey and massage it into the breasts and the legs. Massage the butter on the outside of the skin as well. Tie the legs together over the breast so they will protect it during cooking and help keep it moist and juicy.
• Gravy preparation: Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Make sure that there is no raw food near the turkey in the refrigerator. After refrigerating overnight, the turkey is ready to go in the oven.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until the skin gets really nice and brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark.
• Remove the turkey from the oven when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the turkey registers 160 degrees F. Make sure that the thermometer is not touching a bone when doing the reading. When the turkey has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the roasting pan to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.
• Carve the turkey, transfer to a serving platter and serve with the gravy.
• Give thanks for such a great turkey!!!

APPLE BRINE FOR TURKEY THE NIGHT BEFORE COOKING

Steps:

• Line a cooler with a large food safe bag. Combine the apple juice, water, and salt in the bag; stir until the salt is dissolved; add the garlic.
• To use: Lie your turkey into the brine with the breast-side down; add more water to submerge turkey completely if needed. Pour the ice over the turkey. Seal the bag and close the cooler; allow to sit overnight.

HONEY-APPLE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Pour water into a large stockpot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add salt and honey and stir to dissolve. Remove pot from the heat and stir in apple slices, onion, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, sage, and peppercorns. Let brine cool to room temperature. You can set the pot in a sink full of ice water to speed up the cooling process.
• Stir in apple cider, ice, and apple cider vinegar. Allow brine to fully chill to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees C), or colder, before using.

APPLE BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine apple juice, brown sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir to dissolve sugar and salt. Boil for one minute and remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. In a large food safe container (2 to 5-gallons), combine the apple juice mixture with the remaining ingredients, then refrigerate to 40 degrees F. Remove giblets and neck from raw turkey and place turkey in the brine solution, breast side down. Place a heavy plate or bowl on top to keep the bird submerged, if necessary. Place container in fridge and brine the turkey for 24 hours. Discard brine solution and rinse turkey well, inside and outside. Pat turkey dry and air dry in fridge for about 4-hours, uncovered. Coat turkey with light coating of oil or butter and bake in oven (or smoke, outdoors, in bbq smoker) at 325 degrees F. until thermometer placed in breast reads 165 degrees F (about 3-hours).

APPLE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• 1. In a large pan combine salt, sugar, and 1 quart of water.
• 2. Bring to a simmer and simmer until salt and sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and let cool.
• 3. Add the remaining ingredients to the cooled brine.
• 4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.
• 5. Place the turkey in a container large enough to hold the turkey and brine.
• 6. Pour the cold brine over the turkey.
• 7. If there is not enough brine to cover the turkey add more water.
• 8. Cover and brine for 24 hours.
• 9. Remove the turkey and rinse well.
• 10. Then dry.
• 11. Now the turkey is ready to roast.

SPICE-RUBBED BUTTERFLIED SMOKED TURKEY RECIPE

Steps:

• At least 1 day and up to 3 days before cooking, remove the backbone from the turkey by cutting down either side of the spine with a pair of heavy-duty poultry shears. If necessary, use a cleaver or a heavy chef's knife to cut through the joints where the thigh meets the backbone. Alternatively, ask your butcher to butterfly your bird for you.
• Remove the wishbone by lifting the skin above the breast near the neck opening and locating the Y-shaped bone with your fingertip. Using a sharp paring knife, cut along the top and bottom of both halves of the bone. Slip your finger behind the bone, pull it out, and discard or save for gravy or stock.
• Lay the bird flat on a cutting board with its legs splayed out. Press down firmly on the breast to crack the bone so the turkey lies flat. Rub the skin all over with oil. Combine salt, paprika, smoked paprika, black pepper, mustard seed, coriander, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, brown sugar, and baking powder in a small bowl and mix until homogeneous. Rub mixture over entire surface of turkey, coating it thoroughly. Transfer turkey to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least overnight and up to 3 days.
• When ready to cook, light one half chimney of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Place the turkey on the cooler side of the grill with the legs facing toward the coals. Add 4 wood chunks. Cover grill with lid vents directly over the turkey. Close bottom and top vents halfway.
• Cook turkey, adjusting vents to maintain a temperature between 225 and 275°F (105 to 135°C), adding fresh wood chunks every half hour and fresh coals a dozen at a time as necessary to maintain temperature. Cook until a probe thermometer inserted into the coolest part of the breast registers 150°F (66°C) and the legs register at least 165°F (74°C), 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Remove turkey from grill, let rest 15 minutes, carve, and serve.

TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Combine apple cider, salt, peppercorns, allspice, cloves, and bay leaves in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes until salt dissolves. Cool completely in refrigerator.
• Remove giblets and neck from turkey, refrigerate until ready to use, and reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a large stockpot. Place turkey inside bag. Add cold cider mixture and ice. Squeeze as much air out of bag as possible. twist top and secure with twist tie or tuck end so that it stays put. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning turkey occasionally.
• Once done, remove turkey from bag, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bag. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry.
• Cook turkey using your favorite method.

APPLE CIDER TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine apple cider, water, orange juice, kosher salt, pepper, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, garlic and onion. Bring to a simmer over high heat. You do not need to rapidly boil the liquid; just whisk to make sure that the salt is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the brine to cool completely (this can take quite a few hours).
• Add turkey to cool brine, cover and refrigerate for 12-14 hours (or up to 24 hours).
• Before removing turkey from brine, adjust oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place a rack in a large roasting pan. You can line the roasting pan with foil first, for easy cleanup. Place 1 cup of water in the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
• Remove turkey from brine and rinse under cool water. Pat inside and outside of the turkey dry with paper towels. Tie legs with kitchen twine, and tuck wing tips behind back. Brush outside of the turkey with melted butter. Set turkey breast-side up on the rack in the roasting pan.
• Roast turkey, uncovered, until thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees and thickest part of thigh registers 170 to 175 degrees on instant-read thermometer. Keep a close eye on the turkey after the first 30-60 minutes of roasting - the skin will get dark quickly. Once the skin is nicely browned to your liking, tent the turkey with foil (shiny side up) to prevent burning while it finishes cooking.
• The total cooking time will vary depending on the size of your turkey, on how cold your turkey is when it goes in the oven, and on your individual oven. The following cooking times are only estimates. If your turkey is not close to room temperature when it goes in the oven, it will take longer to cook. If it is at room temp, it may take less time to cook. So check the temperature early. A brined 12 -14 lb. turkey needs about 2 ½ - 3 hours in a 350 degree F oven, while a 15-16 lb. turkey will likely require closer to 3 - 3 ½ hours. Again, I've had a brined 15-lb. turkey cook in as little as about 2 ½ hours, so it's always best to check the temperature of the meat early.
• Transfer turkey to a cutting board and allow to rest for 30-40 minutes. Carve and serve.

APPLE JUICE BRINE FOR CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a pot over medium heat, combine the apple juice, salt, oranges, lemon, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and add in the rosemary, thyme, black peppercorns, and bay leaf. Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until the brine is cold.
• In a brining bag or large pot, submerge the whole chicken in the brine. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the bag before cooking, rinse the chicken, and pat it dry (including in the cavity). Cook as desired, it is great for roasting, smoking, or grilling. NOTE: The sugar in the apple juice makes the skin brown faster than usual. Halfway through cooking check to see if it needs covered with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

APPLE BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• To prepare brine, combine apple juice, brown sugar, salt, garlic, bay leaves, cloves and ginger in a large non-reactive saucepan. Bring to boil and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar and salt are dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely.
• Combine apple juice mixture and water in a 5 gallon (20 L) food-safe non-reactive container, such as an unchipped enamel canner.
• Remove neck and giblets from turkey cavities and reserve for another use. Submerge turkey in brine. As turkey will float, weigh it down using a plate with a jar of water on it. Keep turkey submerged completely. Cover container and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, but no longer than 16 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Remove turkey from brine; discard brine. Rinse turkey under cold running water; pat dry. Secure wings with metal skewers and tie legs together using butcher's twine.
• Place turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan. Brush with melted butter.
• Roast for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325°F and continue roasting, basting occasionally, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
• Transfer turkey to a platter and tent loosely with foil. Let stand for 30 minutes before carving. The internal temperature of turkey will continue to rise several degrees during standing. The final reading should be 180 - 185°F in the thigh and 170 - 175°F in the breast.

MEAN CHEF'S APPLE BRINE

Steps:

• bring apple juice, sugar and salt to a boil over high heat, skim foam, let cool to room temperature.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Brine turkey for 24 hours.
• Quantity is sufficient for a 14 pound turkey.

BEST APPLE CIDER BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine cider, vinegar, salt, and sugar; stir to dissolve salt and sugar.
• Bring to a low boil over medium heat; Add in peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme and shallots.
• On low heat simmer for 5 minutes; remove from heat, add ice to brine mixture and set aside to cool.
• Remove the turkey from the wrapping, remove neck and giblets (set aside for giblet gravy), rinse and prepare bird by patting down with paper towels.
• Make a collar of the top of cooking bags (helps keep bags open), and slip bird inside, stand it upright (legs pointing up), and unfold the top of the bag.
• Once the brine is cooled to room temperature or less, pour the cooled brine over the bird, and add an additional cold water until bird is submerged in liquid.
• Squeeze out as much air as possible and secure with a twist-tie.
• Place the turkey, breast side down, in a roasting pan and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning over every 6-8 hours.
• Just prior to roasting, remove the turkey from the brine; discard the bags, brine, and all cured herbs, spices, and oranges remaining in the bird.
• Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper toweling.
• The turkey is now ready to be roasted. See cooking times for Brined turkey as it will be less than typical cooking time.
• Before cooking the bird, I typically use a rub with olive oil or melted butter/margarine. I quarter an apple and stuff inside the cavity for cooking, tenting the bird until the last hour. This will be the BEST roasted turkey you've had, hands down! I even prefer this over deep fried turkey as it is about as moist and has much more flavor to it. I compliment this turkey by serving giblet gravy, sautéed herbed mushrooms and Apple Wine Stuffing.

GRILLED APPLE-BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• To make the brine, in a large kettle, combine the first 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in oranges. Remove from the heat. Add cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan or other large container. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, turning occasionally., Prepare grill for indirect heat. Drain turkey, discarding brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Rub oil over skin. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together., Place breast side up on a rack in a disposable foil roasting pan. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 30-40 minutes. Tent turkey with foil; grill, covered, until a thermometer reads 165°, 2-1/2 to 3 hours longer. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

APPLE ROSEMARY BRINED ROAST TURKEY

Steps:

• Add 4 cups (950 mL) water, salt, sugar, bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, onion, garlic, and peppercorns to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue heating (stirring constantly), until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Turn off the heat and stir in the ice, and then the apple cider and apple cider vinegar.
• Pour the mixture into a vessel large enough to hold your turkey (I use the biggest stock pot I have), and add the remaining 8 cups (1.9 L) of water.
• Gently slide the turkey into the brine, adding more cold water if the bird isn't fully immersed. Cover the vessel and refrigerate overnight (about 12 hours).
• The next day, preheat the oven to 325F and prepare a roasting pan large enough to hold the turkey. (If you don't have a roasting rack for the bottom of your roasting pan, you can scrunch up foil for the bottom of the pan so the turkey isn't sitting in the bottom of the pan.)
• Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it, pat it dry, truss it, and place it into the prepared roasting pan (breast-side-up). Use your fingers to smoosh the butter onto the skin.
• Roast until the internal temperature between the thigh and the wing and the thickest part of the breast reaches 165F on an instant-read thermometer, about 3 hours 15 minutes, to 3 hours 30 minutes.
• Lightly drape a piece of foil over the turkey and let it set 15 minutes before carving.

APPLE MAPLE BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• Place 2 cups of the water and salt in a pot and bring to boil. Boil 2 to 3 minutes. Cool to room temperature, and then pour into a large, tall, stainless stock pot or sterilized, food grade pail just wide enough to hold the turkey. Stir in remaining water and all other ingredients, except turkey. Now set in the turkey, ensuring it is completely submerged in the brine. Refrigerate turkey in brine 12-18 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 325°F. Drain turkey well; discard brine. Pat the turkey dry inside and out. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Tie the legs of the turkey together; fold and tuck wings under the body. Roast turkey, uncovered, 1 1/2 hours. Baste turkey with pan juices, and then give the pan a 180-degree turn. Roast turkey another 1 hour and 15 minutes. Later in the cooking, cover legs or other parts of the bird with foil if they are over darkening. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer deep into an inner thigh of the turkey, not touching the bone. If it reads 170°F (77°C), the turkey is ready. If not, baste the bird with the pan juices again and roast 15 to 30 minutes more, or until the 170°F (77°C) temperature is achieved. Transfer turkey to a large platter, tent with foil and let it rest until you're ready to carve, at least 15 minutes (see Recipe options). Note: If your turkey contains them, remove the neck and innards from the main cavity of the turkey before brining. Place the neck in the roasting pan when you cook the bird; discard innards unless you wish to prepare them separately. Recipe options: To make the gravy, skim fat from pan drippings. Place the roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups of turkey or chicken stock and bring to a boil. Place the flour and 1⁄2 cup turkey or chicken stock in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk the mixture into the pan and simmer until the gravy thickens, about 5 minutes. Carve the turkey and serve the gravy in a sauceboat alongside.

APPLE SPICE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pour apple and orange juice into a large pot over medium heat. Add the salt, brown sugar , cloves, and nutmeg.
• Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 15 minutes over medium heat until salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature (at least 40 to 60 minutes). After the mixture has sufficiently cooled, add the cold water.
• Place poultry in a large plastic container or a large stockpot. Pour the brine over top . Brine poultry covered for at least 1 hour per pound in the refrigerator.
• Thoroughly rinse all the brine from the turkey before cooking. Pat turkey dry inside and out and apply with rub of choice. Cook meat as directed.​

APPLE CIDER TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Remove the Instant Pot lid and turn on the sauté setting for 30 minutes. (30 minutes is the most you can sauté, so you'll add more time when this time is up.)
• Add the water, apples, and brown sugar to the stainless-steel inner pot with the lid off.
• Place the cloves, ginger, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate, and orange into the strainer bag, tighten the bag's strings, and place the strainer in the inner pot.
• Allow the cider to simmer.
• When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the sauté setting for an additional 10 minutes.
• When the cooking time is finished, remove the straining bag and scoop out the apples.
• Transfer the apple cider turkey brine to a deep-dish roasting pan with the turkey.
• Then oven-roast your turkey in the apple cider brine, basting the turkey with the brine pan juices every 20-30 minutes.
• You can garnish apple cider brined turkey with fresh thyme sprigs, fresh rosemary, or parsley.

APPLE CIDER BRINED AND GLAZED TURKEY BREAST RECIPE

Steps:

• At least 8 hours before roasting or the night before, make the brine. In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the salt, sugar, ginger, bay leaves, cloves, peppercorns, and allspice.
• Add the apple cider and stir to combine.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; stirring until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
• Boil for 3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Add the 2 cups of cold water, stir and set aside to cool.
• Place the turkey breast in a jumbo-size plastic sealable bag breast side down.
• Pour some of the cooled brine mixtures into the open cavity of the breast and the rest all around the breast in the bag.
• Seal the bag and place it in a pan with sides.
• Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• About 1 hour before roasting, remove the turkey from the brine, and rinse it thoroughly under cold water.
• Place on a platter and blot it dry with paper towels.
• Discard the brine.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place a V-rack in a roasting pan.
• Rub the turkey breast all over with the softened butter and season with salt and pepper.
• Place turkey on the rack.
• Scatter the sprigs of thyme and sage, onion, and carrots in the bottom of the pan.
• Add the chicken broth and the apple cider.
• Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and baste with the pan juices.
• Continue roasting, basting occasionally with the pan juices, adding the remaining apple cider.
• Remove from the oven, transfer to a platter, and tent with foil.
• Meanwhile, make pan gravy while the turkey breast is resting.
• Place the roasting pan over medium-high heat.
• Discard the herbs, onions, and carrots.
• Skim any fat from the surface. Bring the liquid in the pan to a simmer.
• Using a wooden spoon, scrape and loosen any browned bits sticking to the bottom and sides of the pan.
• Place the flour in a small bowl, add some of the simmering liquid to the flour and blend until smooth.
• Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the pan until thickened.
• Add extra chicken broth if needed.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Strain if desired and transfer to a sauceboat to serve.
• Carve the turkey breast and serve with the gravy.

10 TOP TURKEY BRINES (+ RECIPE COLLECTION)

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a turkey brine in 30 minutes or less!