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You want the turkey to stay submerged in the brine brine, so the high sides and depth of the drawer work much better than a wide cooler or container. The drawer is the right size. Your produce drawers might not look very big, but trust me, they can actually hold more than you think, including a whole turkey.
What kind of container can I brine a turkey in?
To brine a turkey, you will first need a large, nonreactive container; this can be plastic, glass, or stainless steel. Other metal containers will react with the brine solution and give the turkey a metallic flavor. One trick is to use a large, food-safe sealable bag.
How do you brine a turkey without a refrigerator?
If you don’t have room in the fridge for the bird, you have options. You can let the turkey brine in a cooler while covered in ice packs and/or ice, or even let it brine on a garage or porch (where animals won’t get to it) if you live in a cold climate (35°F and 38°F degrees).
Do you brine a turkey at room temperature or in the refrigerator?
Place the container in the refrigerator for the period of time specified in the recipe. The amount of time will depend on the type of brine you use; however, do not brine any longer than two days and always keep the turkey and brine refrigerated (at 40°F or less). Remove turkey from brine after the recommended time.
Is it safe to brine turkey in cooler?
Luckily, you can adapt any brine recipe to work in a large cooler. As long as the brine stays below 40 degrees F, your turkey will be safe to eat, so if you’re brining it overnight check before going to bed that there’s still plenty of frozen ice.
Do you need a food grade bucket to brine a turkey?
Non-reactive materials suitable for brining include food grade plastics, stainless steel and glass. But whether you use a food grade bucket or a kitchen bowl or storage container, the brine and food has to remain cold. The best way is to put the container into the refrigerator.
How big of a bucket do I need to brine a turkey?
It is perfectly fine to use a bucket as a brining container as long as you can fit the turkey. A 5-gallon one should be able to fit a turkey of any size without any issue. However, make sure you use a bucket liner if you are planning on using a bucket.
How long should I brine a 12 pound turkey?
For a 12-pound turkey, cover and marinate in the refrigerator 8 to 12 hours. For a turkey larger than 12 pounds, increase the amount of brine so the turkey will be totally submerged when weighted down with the plates.
Is brining a turkey worth it?
Pros of Brining a Turkey Brining a turkey adds moisture and flavor, particularly when you use a flavorful brine. Brines can include all sorts of flavorings including herbs and spices, making the turkey taste like far more than your average roast bird.
How do you brine a turkey quickly?
Place salt, sugar, herbs, vegetable and fruit scraps in a large stock pan. Cover with cold, filtered water or chicken/turkey stock. Bring brine to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until sugar and salt have dissolved in water.
Should you rinse a turkey after brining?
Leaving the turkey uncovered for the last 4 to 6 hours will help dry—and thus crisp up—the skin. Resist any temptation to rinse the turkey after brining. There will be no trace of salt on the surface and rinsing would only make the skin less prone to browning.
Do you rinse turkey before brining?
For a 14-16 lb turkey I mix 4 tablespoons kosher salt to 4 teaspoons sugar. Prep your turkey. Experts say never rinse a turkey before brining. Take it straight from the bag, draining any of the residual juices, into the brining bag.
How long does it take to brine a turkey to room temperature?
If you don’t have room in the refrigerator for a large bucket, place the bird in the brine to cover and leave it at room temperature for 10 to 12 hours.
Can you use a 5 gallon bucket to brine a turkey?
You could use a 5-gallon bucket or a large cooler too. If you use a brand new bucket there is no need to use a plastic liner. Place the thawed turkey in the plastic bag or bucket and then pour the brine and water over the turkey. You may need to add more water to completely cover the turkey.
Will a turkey thaw while brining?
Add cold water to cover the turkey. If you have a frozen turkey, you can thaw it while you brine it a la Alton Brown, but plan on it taking two days to defrost. When the big day arrives, remember to rinse off excess brine before roasting so that you don’t end up with insanely salty pan gravy.
How long can you brine a turkey in a cooler?
Cooler Brining Chill for six to eight hours. If you’re brining overnight, reduce the salt and sugar amounts by half, or the turkey will be too salty. Check the temperature inside the cooler occasionally to make sure it stays at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Can you use Ziploc Big bags to brine a turkey?
For items like a whole turkey, large food grade plastic bags will do the trick. One such product is Ziploc Big Bags XL. These thick, sturdy bags are designed to store anything, including food, and are made of the same food grade plastic as regular Ziploc bags.
What can I use instead of a brining bag?
You need a large bag. Fortunately, these are easier to find these days, but if you can’t, large oven roasting bags will do. Garbage bags are NOT a good choice since they are not designed for food storage and the chemicals may not be safe (I don’t know but let’s not do that).
