Apple Cider Brine Recipes

APPLE CIDER TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water, apple cider, kosher salt, sage, rosemary, thyme, and peppercorns together in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil; cook and stir brine until the salt is just dissolved. Remove from heat; add ice cubes.

APPLE CIDER BRINED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons pepper, 4 cups water, vinegar, and apple juice in a 2 gallon container. Add the chicken and allow to marinate for 30 minutes up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon pepper to the flour, mix well, and hold until ready to fry.
• In a cast iron skillet, add the oil and bring to 350 degrees F over high heat. Remove the chicken from the brine, pat dry with a paper towel, and dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, coating well and tapping off any excess. Once all the chicken is floured, add to the oil, in batches, and cook until golden brown on both sides, 8 to 9 minutes per side. The internal temperature must be 165 degrees to be cooked thoroughly.

APPLE CIDER BRINE

Steps:

• In a 3-4 quart saucepan, combine cider with salt, sugar, ginger, bay leaves, cloves, peppercorns, and allspice; stir to dissolve salt.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 3-4 minutes; remove from heat, add 4 cups of ice water and set aside to cool.
• Line a heavy roasting pan with turkey-sized oven cooking bags (which should be double-layered).
• Remove the turkey from it's wrapping, remove neck and giblets (store separately), and rinse and prepare bird.
• Stuff cavity with orange quarters.
• 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.
• Pour the brine over the bird, and add an additional 2 cups of water.
• Draw up the first inner bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and secure with a twist-tie; do the same for the outer bag.
• Place the turkey, breast side down, in the roasting pan and refrigerate for 12-24 hours, turning 3-4 times while brining.
• 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.
• Air-dry turkey under refrigeration for 4-6 hours (before cooking) for a crispier crust when roasting.
• The turkey is now ready to be roasted.

EASY APPLE CIDER BRINE RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, add your salt, peppercorns, BBQ seasoning, and bay leaves.
• Pour in your water, beer, and smoked cider.
• Over medium high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling reduce the heat and allow it to fully cool.
• Pour over your turkey, chicken, or pork into an appropriate container that will fully submerge the protein. Place in the fridge for 24 hours (minimum) and follow regular cooking instructions after brining.

SMOKED CIDER BRISKET

Steps:

• Soak the hickory chips in water for 1 hour before grilling.
• For the brine: Combine the apple cider and water in a large, oval Dutch oven. Add the salt and sugar and stir until it dissolves. Add the black peppercorns and bay leaves. Add the brisket and let soak in the brine solution for up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• For the rub: Combine the salt, paprika, pepper, sugar, and onion powder together in a bowl.
• For the sauce: Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes so the butter can melt and the flavors can marry.
• For the brisket: Set up your smoker with charcoal and hickory chips using indirect heat. Heat the grill to 275 degrees F.
• Remove the brisket from the fridge. Drain from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place on a rimmed sheet tray. Rub the brisket with the spice mixture.
• Place the seasoned brisket fat cap side up on the grill and smoke for 2 hours with the grill lid covered. (Starting with the fat cap side up allows the fat to melt into the brisket, adding moisture and flavor.) Flip and smoke 2 more hours. Check and refill charcoal levels and hickory chips throughout the smoking process, keeping the temperature at a constant 275 degrees F.
• Remove the brisket from the grill and wrap in a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place back on the grill for 1 1/2 more hours.
• Remove the brisket from the grill, unwrap the foil, brush the brisket with sauce (or serve on the side), tent with foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing across the grain. Drizzle more sauce when serving.

APPLE BRINE

Steps:

• Dump all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 15 minutes. Strain the brine into a bowl, cool to room temperature, and then chill completely in the fridge before using.
• Add chops to the brine and let them marinate in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. Pull them out and dry them off before grilling, or using in a recipe.
• Makes enough for 4-6 pounds of pork.