Apple Cider Brined Turkey

This is a simple brine recipe that will leave your turkey tender, moist and flavorful. I will post the final picture of the final product tomorrow.

Ingredients

• 16 cups apple cider
• 2 cups salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup whole allspice
• 5 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• Sliced orange
• 2 cups broth
• 1/2-1 chopped onion
• Fresh sage and thyme
• 20-pound turkey

Step 1: Make Brine

• Bring 4 cups of the apple cider, dry ingredients and vinegar to a boil and then add the let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add chicken broth and the rest of the cider.
• Add cold water, or ice if you want to cool the mixture quickly. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Brine Turkey

• Clean turkey (remove giblets, trim fat, etc.) and rinse.
• Place turkey in brine, breast side down.
  • If you have a big enough pot, your could put the brine and turkey in the fridge.
  • I have also poured brine into heavy duty bags with the turkey and put it in the fridge in a roasting pan (or fridge drawer).
  • My favorite way to brine a turkey is to use the bag method, but then put the bag in a cooler, with ice over the top. I use a turkey bag, and then place the whole thing in a garbage bag in case their is spillage.
• Leave in brine overnight (at least). If you have time, it is suggested that your brine a turkey 1 hour for every pound.
• Drain turkey from brine and then rinse off (this is important, or the turkey will be too salty)
• Season and cook the turkey.