Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much salt and sugar do you put in a brine? ›

As a general starting point, take one gallon of water and add 3/4 cup (preferable - but you can use up to a cup) of salt (Kosher is best), 1/2 cup of sugar and then the rest is up to you.

Yup, believe it. A big ol' jar of leftover pickle juice is like a perfectly pre-seasoned pour over for meat. The salt and garlic flavors are already there and the acid in the juice acts as a great meat tenderiser, helping particularly to break down tougher cuts.

Brine your turkey for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the better, but honestly, even a quick brine does wonders for the turkey. If you only have a few hours before it needs to go in the oven, then it's still worth doing. Be sure to keep your turkey covered and refrigerated while brining.

According to research published in the Journal of Food Science , the salt in the brine dissolves a bit of the protein in the muscle fibers, and allows the meat to absorb the brine and retain moisture during cooking. This makes the poultry juicier, more tender and improves the flavor.

Basic Brine

Place that volume of water in a container large enough to hold the brine and the meat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water you used and mix until the salt is completely dissolved. For example, if you are using 1 gallon (16 cups) of water, add 16 tablespoons (1 cup) of salt.

Along with salt, sugar (either brown or white granulated) is a dry-brine must-have, essential both for its browning capabilities and flavor-enhancing properties. Breaking out the sugar is my favorite way to ensure that my turkey comes out perfectly tender and golden brown every November.

The former is a supplement beverage scientifically proven to prevent muscle cramps and dehydration that does not actually contain any pickles, whereas pickle brine is a result of pickling cucumbers, and is the high sodium mixture of food and juices remaining in the jar.

For all-purpose brine, a good rule of thumb is: ¼ cup of kosher salt and ¼ cup of sugar for every quart of water. You can also add aromatics or other flavorings to intensify the seasoning, like whole peppercorns, garlic cloves, dried herbs, whole spices, citrus or other fruit, mirepoix or fruit juices.

Any exposed pickle or brine becomes a breeding ground for the bad microbes, which can spread to spoil the entire batch. Too hot . . . too cold . . . just right .

Be sure that the brine is cold before adding the thawed turkey. Place the turkey and brine in a brining bag or non-corrosive food-safe container, making sure the turkey is fully submerged in the liquid. Cover and keep in the refrigerator for the recommended amount of time.

What is the shortest time to brine? ›

Ideal brining time is about a half an hour, but I've found that even a 15-minute brine makes a difference. The meat cooks up juicier and with more flavor than it does otherwise. You can also brine for longer, but after about two hours, the meat can start to get a bit mushy.

You should always rinse the turkey after wet or dry brining. Once rinsed, you can let the turkey air dry, uncovered, in the refrigerator for several hours, or pat it dry with a paper towel.

You'll want the salt to dissolve into the water—and a reliable way to ensure that happens is by heating the water and simmering it until the salt is completely absorbed. Then, you need to cool the brine to room temperature before using it, since pouring hot or warm brine over a raw turkey can cause bacteria growth.

Yes! Do not leave a turkey brining on the counter or it'll spoil. Treat it just like you would a raw turkey, because that's what it is—always refrigerate it!

Some dry-brine recipes call for adding white or brown sugar to the salt. It's not totally necessary, but it will infuse the meat with a little sweetness and help the skin turn golden in the oven. Your sugar measurement should equal about ¼ of your salt measurement; for a 14-lb turkey, that's about 2 Tbsp.

The chemical formula of ammoniacal brine solution is \[N{{H}_{3}}+NaCl+{{H}_{2}}O. \] Brine is a saturated salt solution of sodium chloride. Ammoniacal brine is a commercially important chemical used in the ammonia soda process.

Pro tip: Some brine recipes call for additional ingredients, from sugar and honey to herbs and other aromatics like onion and garlic. These additions make the brine smell good and add flavor to the outside of the meat, but they won't penetrate the meat.