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A container full of apple cider turkey brine.

Apple Cider Turkey Brine Recipe

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  • Author: Erin Jensen
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Brine Time: 24 hours
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 24 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 brine 1x
  • Category: Brine
  • Method: Refrigerator
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Apple Cider Turkey Brine – a simple, easy apple cider turkey brine recipe that will work with your favorite turkey recipes!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 cups apple cider, divided
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • ice cubes
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 34 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Take 4 cups of apple cider and add to a medium sauce pan along with ALL of the salt.
  2. Bring a to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Continue simmering and stirring until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
  3. Remove from heat and add ice cubes. It’s very important to fully cool down the water since we will be adding it to the rest of the water/submerging the turkey in it.
  4. While the salt mixture is cooling down, add turkey to your brining vessel along with the remaining water and other ingredients.
  5. Then pour the cooled salt/water mixture into the same brining vessel on top of the turkey.
  6. Stir to combine
  7. Refrigerate (covered) for 24 hours.
  8. Remove from brine (discard brine), rinse (optional), pat dry and cook as planned (we love this Smoked Spatchcock Turkey recipe).

Notes

  • Additional Brine: if you need more liquid to fully cover your bird simply use the formula: 1/4 cup salt for every 4 cups apple cider added.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: do NOT use apple cider vinegar as a substitute for apple cider.
  • Refrigerate: you have to refrigerate your turkey while it is brining.