Citrus Turkey Brine

Ingredients

• (12 pound) fresh, whole, bone-in skin-on turkey, rinsed and patted dry
• cup salt
• medium onion, cut into wedges
• medium orange, cut into wedges
• medium lemon, cut into wedges
• clove sgarlic
• large bay leaves
• tablespoon dried thyme
• tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 gal lon scold water

Instructions

1. Gather the ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
2. Rub turkey all over with salt. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
3. Place remaining salt into a large stainless steel or enameled stockpot. Add onion, orange, and lemon wedges to the pot, along with garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
4. Place turkey into the pot and pour in cold water. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
5. When ready to cook, discard brine. Rinse turkey, then pat dry and place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 2 to 3 hours. Roast, grill, or deep fry turkey according to your favorite recipe. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Tips

Always brine foods in a food-grade, nonreactive container such as a stainless steel or enameled stockpot, a brining bag, or a food-grade plastic bucket. Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of brine ingredients. The actual amount consumed will vary.