Katies Brined Turkey Recipes

TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Using a brining bag or a 10 quart stockpot add the kosher salt, black peppercorns, dried chives, dried thyme, and dehydrated minced garlic. Pour in the water (I typically start with a gallon and a half). Using a wooden spoon, mix well until the salt is dissolved.
• Carefully place the thawed turkey breast inside the stockpot. Add additional water if needed to ensure the entire bird is covered in brine. Seal bag or place lid on stockpot and set in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours (overnight) and no more then 18 hours.
• Before your ready to cook the turkey. Rinse the turkey with cold water nad pat dry with a paper towel.

CITRUS GRILLED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• For the turkey and marinade: Combine the pineapple, Worcestershire, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, orange zest and juice and lime zest and juice in a large bowl. Add the turkey breast, toss to coat and cover tightly with plastic wrap. (Or pour the marinade into a resealable plastic bag with the turkey breast.) Marinate, refrigerated, for 3 to 4 hours.
• For the rub: Combine the salt, oregano, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and some black pepper in a small bowl.
• Preheat a grill to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the turkey from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the turkey all over with the rub, then lightly oil the skin.
• Place the turkey skin-side down on the grill. Cook until the skin begins to lightly char and crisp, about 10 minutes. Flip the turkey, then cover the grill and cook until the turkey registers 165 degrees F, 40 to 45 minutes more. Loosely tent the turkey with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.
• For serving: Serve the sliced turkey on buns with the Sweet-and-Sour Pineapple Marmalade and sliced red onion.
• Whisk the orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Add the pineapple, red onion and jalapeno. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens, 15 to 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.

KATIE'S BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• Thaw turkey and remove any innards. In a large pot (enough to cover the turkey with water) Add salt and fill 1/3 of the way with cold water. Mix until salt is mostly dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and turkey. Fill till turkey is just covered with cold water. Put in refrigerator or an ice chest (with ice) and keep cool 12-24 hours.
• Once ready to cook turkey, remove from brine and pat dry. Make sure the inside of the turkey does not have any water. Place in a roasting pan. Take all the solid seasonings (garlic, rosemary, peppercorns, lemon) and put inside the turkey. Take a little sea salt and olive oil and rub the turkey down. Cover pan with aluminum foil.
• Bake at 325 for 20 minutes per lb. For the last 20 minutes, remove the foil and set the oven to broil (low broil if an option). This will brown the skin. Watch closely as each oven is different. It may take less or more time to brown depending on the oven.
• Once the turkey has reached an internal temp of 150-160 degrees, remove from the oven and let sit for 20 minutes before carving.

MAPLE SAGE ROASTED TURKEY

Steps:

• 24 to 48 hours before cooking, rinse the turkey inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder in a small bowl. Liberally sprinkle the inside and outside of the turkey with the seasoning mix and place on a sheet pan; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 24 to 48 hours. Eight to 10 hours before cooking, remove the plastic wrap and continue to refrigerate uncovered.
• Mix the butter with the minced sage. Use your fingers to loosen under the skin of the turkey, then rub the butter under the skin. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. If any moisture forms on the turkey skin, pat dry with paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Stuff the turkey's cavity with the onion, garlic and sage bundle. Truss the turkey with kitchen twine, place on a rack in a large roasting pan and put in the oven.
• Combine the chicken stock, maple syrup and bay leaf in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a very low simmer, then remove from the heat. After 30 minutes of roasting time, begin basting the turkey every 30 minutes with this mixture.
• The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F in the breast and 165 degrees F in the thigh, 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey (3 hours to 4 hours 40 minutes). Tent the turkey with foil and let rest 45 minutes to 1 hour. Carve and serve.

KITTENCAL'S BEST BROWN SUGAR TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• In a large bucket or container mix together the warm water with brown sugar and salt; stir until NO kosher salt and sugar granules remain in the water (make certain to use very warm water so that the salt and suagr will dissolve easily and completely).
• Add in Worcestershire sauce, peppercorns, and garlic; stir until the Worcestershire sauce is combined.
• Cool the water until almost room temperature.
• Wash the turkey inside and out with cold water, then place in the brine (if the brine does not quite cover the turkey, then place it breast-side up to start, then turn it over after a couple of hours later).
• Place in refrigerator for 24 hours,.
• Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse the turkey THOROUGHLY under cold running water.
• Pat dry with paper towels then cover and refrigerate if not preparing right away or continue with my turkey recipe (#199612).

BEST BRINED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• In 6-quart container or stockpot, mix water, salt and sugar; stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add turkey. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from brine, rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry.
• Place onion on center of rack in large shallow roasting pan; top with rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Place turkey, skin side up, over onion and herbs.
• In small bowl, mix butter and wine. Soak 16-inch square of cheesecloth in butter mixture until completely saturated; cover turkey completely with cheesecloth. Roast 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Remove cheesecloth. Place onion and herbs in pan with drippings if using drippings to make gravy (or discard). Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of turkey and does not touch bone. Turn turkey skin side down. Roast 30 to 60 minutes longer or until thermometer reads 165°F.

BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a large pot; stir kosher salt and white sugar into the water to dissolve completely. Remove from heat and let cool somewhat before transferring to a large food-safe container large enough to hold the brine and turkey, but small enough to fit in your refrigerator. Pour 2 gallons cold water into the container; add rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, garlic, Allspice, and black pepper.
• Gently submerge turkey into the brine; refrigerate for 12 to 36 hours.
• Remove turkey from the brine and rinse both inside and outside thoroughly. Discard brine.

ULTIMATE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot. Stir salt and sugar into the water until dissolved; bring water again to a boil. Add cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, and thyme to the water, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook mixture at a simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Refrigerate brine until completely cooled.