This is the 5th post in our series titled “Twenty Two Thanksgiving Turkey Tips”.  Each day between now and Thanksgiving we’ll have a new tip for you.  Today’s tip is about Turkey Brine Recipes:

Your turkey can have a delicious flavor just by deep-frying it, but why not add more zest to your bird by soaking it in a delicious brine?  Since you have already learned “How to Brine a Turkey” this article will provide a list of three delicious brine recipes to enhance your turkey’s flavor.  There are a wide variety of turkey brines to choose from, so for this article I have narrowed it down to three different kinds of recipes.  Listed below you will find a basic turkey brine, a sweeter turkey brine and a more zesty turkey brine with lots of herb and spices.

Your Traditional Turkey Brine

This brine is simple and basic – perfect for beginners

• 2 cups kosher salt
• 2 gallon of water
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ a cup of your favorite dried herbs/spices
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
• A lemon
• An orange

Sweet Turkey Brine

Here’s an apple spice brine that’s nice and sweet

• 1 gallon cold water
• 2 quarts apple juice
• 2 quarts orange juice
• 2 cup salt (3 cups Kosher or coarse salt)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 10 whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

Zesty Turkey Brine

This citrus kissed turkey brine recipe adds zest with orange, cider and spices.

• 3 cups Apple Cider
  1/4 cup Fresh Rosemary
  5 cloves Garlic, Minced
  1½ cup Kosher Salt
  2 cups Brown Sugar
  3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
  5 whole Bay Leaves
  Peel Of Three Large Orange, zested
  2 gallons ice water

For more brine recipes check out: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipe-collections/brined-turkey/index.html for many more delicious brines!

–For more tips and ideas on how to prepare your tastiest turkey ever, make sure you download (from Amazon.com) a copy of our book, titled: Turkey Fryers & Deep Fried Turkey: How To Deep Fry A Turkey- Complete Step By Step Instructions To Cooking Your Tastiest Turkey Ever!  As a special bonus for all book buyers, we’re including a complete step-by-step series of videos showing anyone exactly how to deep fry a turkey.  Get this book today!–