Turkey Brine for My Roast Turkey

Makes 1 whole turkey

Rachel Davis

I would not make a turkey without brining it first.

ingredients

32 cups warm water (2 gallons)
1 onion chopped in quarters
1 cup kosher salt (must use kosher salt ONLY)
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar (well-packed)
2 tablespoons black peppercorns (can use 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper)
3-4 tablespoons fresh coarsely chopped garlic (or slice the cloves into thirds)
1 whole turkey (up to 20 pounds)

1
In a large bucket or container mix together the warm water with brown sugar and salt
2
Stir until NO kosher salt and sugar granules remain in the water (make certain to use very warm water so that the salt and sugar will dissolve easily and completely).
3
Add in all the rest of the ingredients and stir
4
Cool the water until almost room temperature.
5
Wash the turkey inside and out with cold water, then place in the brine (if the brine does not quite cover the turkey, then place it breast-side up to start, then turn it over after a couple of hours later).
6
Place in refrigerator for 24 hours,.
7
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse the turkey THOROUGHLY under cold running water.
8
Pat dry with paper towels then cover and refrigerate if not preparing right away or continue with my roast turkey recipe