topic Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey? in Recipes

Do You Brine Your Turkey?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:27:00 GMT

My mom never did, it wasn't a thing in her generation. I've done it once, several years ago. I'm thinking I might try it again this year.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

mspatmac — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:34:28 GMT

No I never and Mom never did either.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Snowpuppy — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:39:29 GMT

Thanksgiving is enough work so nope.

No matter what I try to introduce "new", they only want the traditional. 🙄

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

spumoni99 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:50:13 GMT

I never have, this year I bought two smoked turkeys, we had one of our thanksgivings today, it was really good and moist, everyone liked it and all I had to do was warm it up!

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Skyegirl21 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:42:18 GMT

No. I have done liquid brining. The meat changes in texture and I don't care for it- I have also heard of dry brining, but I never tried it.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

riley1 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:13:34 GMT

I was going to try "dry" brining this year. The wet seems to be too messy and I don't have a bucket large enough, lol.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Another new name Sue — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:42:35 GMT

I did it once. I didn't think the turkey was any better than just roasting it the usual way.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

RespectLife — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:04:47 GMT

Always but only IF we are smoking the turkey....we are smoking two.

We feel it is essential for a dry cooking like smoking.

The other I will stuff and bake and will NOT brine.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

RollTide2008 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:00:26 GMT

Yes, I brine mine. I prefer it that way.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:08:47 GMT

@spumoni99 wrote:
I never have, this year I bought two smoked turkeys, we had one of our thanksgivings today, it was really good and moist, everyone liked it and all I had to do was warm it up!

@spumoni99

They are very good!

More than once I've had a regular turkey and bought a second one ... the smoked one .... as assurance I'd have enough. Both times, the smoked one was completely gone at the end of dinner.

Hmm .... Your comment makes me think I should just get a smoked turkey this year.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:10:08 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
My mom never did, it wasn't a thing in her generation. I've done it once, several years ago. I'm thinking I might try it again this year.

@JeanLouiseFinch

Why are you considering it this year?

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:39:18 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
My mom never did, it wasn't a thing in her generation. I've done it once, several years ago. I'm thinking I might try it again this year.

@JeanLouiseFinch

Why are you considering it this year?

@Tinkrbl44 One from the Pioneer Woman came up on my Facebook feed and wondered about it. The one thing that's holding me back is that the brine has a bunch of orange peels. I don't want the flavor of the meat or gravy to be affected.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

sophiesofers — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 19:43:04 GMT

Forgive me, but I am not a cook, so what does it mean to brine a turkey?

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:18:31 GMT

@sophiesofers wrote:
Forgive me, but I am not a cook, so what does it mean to brine a turkey?

Brine is a salty liquid, made with water, apple juice, AVC, or a combination of them, with varied spices and additions. The raw turkey soaks in the brine for 12-24 hrs before going into the oven. The goal is to add moisture to the cells of the meat so they retain moisture during several hours of roasting.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

kate2357 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:51:17 GMT

Yes I brine. But I only use salt and sugar. 1/4 cup each of salt and sugar for each 8 cups of water needed. I brine all poultry and pork.

How long I brine is based on how big the PC of meat. For example, bone in chicken breast or pork chops I brine 3-4 hours. For a bone-in pork roast or a whole turkey, 24 hours up to 36 hours.

I take the meat out, dry outside, rub in fresh herbs mixed in with butter and olive oil. For turkey I stuff it with chunks of carrots, onions, celery and fresh herbs. End up with a moist turkey and a great base for gravy.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

KatieB — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 22:23:31 GMT

No, and I never would.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Enufstuff — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 01:35:45 GMT

I have never brined a turkey. With so many people with high blood pressure, who need to lower their intake of sodium, it may be something to consider before brining.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

sophiesofers — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 18:08:22 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch ok thank you for explaining that. Happy Thanksgiving!

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

riley1 — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 19:34:41 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 - Where do you purchase a smoked turkey? Is this sold in the grocery store (I've not seen one). Is it already cooked or you have to roast?

Sorry, I know, dumb questions but this is new to me.

Re: Do You Brine Your Turkey?

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 19:57:27 GMT

@riley1 wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 - Where do you purchase a smoked turkey? Is this sold in the grocery store (I've not seen one). Is it already cooked or you have to roast?

Sorry, I know, dumb questions but this is new to me.

@riley1

Not a dumb question .... the last time I bought one it was at the same grocery store where I got my regular turkey.

They don't stock a lot of them, I guess. You may have to order them in advance.

I stopped to talk to the meat dept mgr yesterday, and he said they didn't have any smoked whole turkeys left. They did have smoked thighs and legs in small packages, though.

I decided after T-Day is over, I'm going to buy a couple pieces of the smoked parts and use them as base in a turkey vegetable soup.