How long before cooking should you brine a turkey?

Are you like me and can’t quite remember the steps for all of your Thanksgiving or Christmas meals? It seems that every November, I’m always checking the same information: How long does my turkey cook for per pound? How many pounds of turkey is recommended per person? Oh, and of course: How long should you brine a turkey for?

At Kitchen Easy Life, we never let a turkey go unbrined! If you’ve ever had the chance to taste a brined turkey and an unbrined turkey side by side, the brined turkey wins every time! Anyone who’s brined a turkey won’t go back to unbrined.

Brining a turkey gives it so much flavor that traditional rubs just can’t give. And, aromatics in the cavity of the turkey are great for flavor, but they don’t change the hard, chewy texture of turkey. Brining a turkey gives the salt and spices time to soak into every cell of the meat of the turkey, softening the meat and giving it internal flavor.

We’ll share our tips on brining a turkey, including where to brine, what to brine with, and how long to brine. You’ll be a brining pro after reading this article. And hey, you may just have the tastiest turkey you’ve ever had, too! Plus, we have a recipe that we cook every holiday season that we are sharing with the world to guarantee your next holiday get-together has the best bird on the block!

Where do you brine your turkey?

Okay, let’s talk about turkey safety! No one wants food poisoning on Thanksgiving! You ALWAYS need to keep your brining turkey in the refrigerator. Some people have said that brining in a 5 gallon bucket is fine as long as you keep adding ice, but this is not good for two reasons.

For one thing, adding ice means you have to take out some of the brining liquid to make room for the addition of ice. This will dilute your brine and you won’t achieve the taste and texture results that you’re looking for.

Secondly, the temperature will be uneven in the bucket and could allow for bacteria to start growing.

What do you need to brine your turkey?

For safe brining, you need a large roasting pan. You’ll probably have to take out a shelf in your fridge to fit the pan in. We have multiple refrigerators, which really makes holiday entertaining a lot easier and more manageable. If you can, invest in a second refrigerator.

You’ll also need a brining bag. These can be found at your local grocery store or on Amazon. A brining bag is vital because it’s the right size and thickness for this purpose. It also closes to prevent air from invading. And, my favorite thing about brining bags, NO CLEAN UP!

In addition to the pan and the bag, you’ll need a large, heavy pot to simmer your brine ingredients. It needs to hold a lot of liquid, so choose your biggest pasta pot.

Spices are the star of the show, along with salt, and lots of it! Typical brining spices include: black peppercorns, pink peppercorns, and whole cloves. An optional item is a brining spice kit. This year, I bought a brining spice kit to see how their blend matched up to what I usually use. As far as convenience, it was a win, but I felt that a homemade spice blend tastes better.

Other items you’ll need are food-related: onions, oranges, apples, lemons, sage leaves, and garlic are the usual additions to the spices. You’ll also need a little sugar, but this can be left out if you prefer.

How do you prepare the brine?

Fill your large pot with water about 2/3 full. Add the peppercorns, cloves, and other items (see recipe below) to the pot and heat it just enough to dissolve the ingredients.

Then, turn it off and let it cool to room temperature. This is very important! Do not pour hot liquid on the turkey as it will start to cook it!

Once it is cooled, put the whole pot in the fridge for a few hours. We want it cold when it touches the turkey.

So, your brine is cooled off now. It’s time to rinse out the turkey in the sink, take out all the innerds, and put him in the empty brine bag in the roasting pan. Now, pour the chilled brine on the turkey and add another 8 -12 cups of cold water and some ice into the bag.

Seal it up and put the pan into the fridge.

How Long Should You Brine A Turkey For?

Typically, a turkey brines for an hour per pound. However, I like to go a little over that.

For instance, we had a 13 pound turkey at our last Thanksgiving, and I brined the turkey for 24 hours. It’s not going to hurt the turkey to go a little over. In fact, I feel it imparts just what the turkey needs.

Do you rinse the turkey before roasting?

No! No need, actually. It wouldn’t do any good. The salt is in the meat, not on it, so rinsing wouldn’t do any good. Just make sure to pat it dry completely before roasting. You’ll want a nice outer coating of olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sage on the outside of your turkey and it can’t stick to wet meat.

FAQs

1. Is Brining a Turkey for 3 Days Too Long?

Yes, it’s a bit too much!

Brining a turkey for 3 days can lead to overly salty meat and a mushy texture. The ideal brining time is usually between 12-24 hours. More than 48 hours, and you’re entering the danger zone of over-brining.

2. Can You Over Brine a Turkey?

Absolutely!

Over brining can cause the turkey meat to become too salty and even start breaking down the proteins, making the texture less pleasant. Aim for a brining time that’s just right – typically, 1 hour per pound is a good rule of thumb.

3. Do I Rinse Turkey After Brining?

Yes, but gently.

After brining, give your turkey a quick rinse under cold water to remove excess salt from the surface. Pat it dry before cooking. This step is crucial for avoiding an overly salty crust.

4. Is it Worth Brining a Turkey for 12 Hours?

Indeed, it is!

A 12-hour brine is perfect for infusing flavor and moisture. It’s long enough for the brine to work its magic but not so long that you risk over-salting or textural issues.

5. How Long Can You Brine a 12 lb Turkey?

12-14 hours is ideal.

For a 12 lb turkey, a brining period of 12-14 hours is recommended. This timeframe allows for the brine to penetrate and tenderize the meat without overdoing it. Remember, the brine’s effectiveness isn’t just about time but also the ratio of salt, water, and other flavorings.

Turkey Weight	Recommended Brining Time
8-10 lbs	8-10 hours
10-12 lbs	10-12 hours
12-14 lbs	12-14 hours
14-16 lbs	14-16 hours
16-18 lbs	16-18 hours
18-20 lbs	18-20 hours

I think you’re ready to rule the roost! Take this knowledge and cook your heart out this Thanksgiving! Let us know what you think in the comments! Share these tips with family and friends to ensure everyone has a great meal this holiday season!