Nov 13, 2013 2 min read

This recipe will brine a turkey using a garbage bag and 4 gallons of water. Once it’s brined, you can cook to your liking.

BRINED TURKEY

For the brine:

4 gallons cold water

2 cups salt

2 cups brown sugar

4 oranges, quartered

4 lemons, quartered

12 sprigs fresh thyme

8 sprigs fresh rosemary

To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in four gallons of cold water. You can use a big pot and do it half at a time. Pour the liquid into a large (non-perfumed) plastic garbage bag sitting inside a large picnic cooler, making sure it doesn’t spill out. Add the oranges, lemons, thyme and rosemary. Remove the neck and giblets from a thawed or fresh turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water. Place the turkey in the bag with the brine mixture, roll around the turkey to mix the ingredients with the bird, and tie up the bag. Place water and ice cubes around the bag to keep the turkey cold. Brine at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours, turning the turkey occasionally without opening the bag and adding ice, as needed, to keep the water around the turkey cold. Be careful that the wing tips or any other sharp edge do not pierce the bag while the bird is being turned. Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels. Cook as desired. Enjoy.