Brining your turkey

Themetastic

Anyone do it?  I am cooking with my mom this year, first time, and thinking about brining our turkeys.  It seems like a lot of work and a lot of extra expenses to do it, so I am wondering if anyone can tell me if it is really worth it?

Thanks! 

bpphoto785

I do not brine my turkey, I use one of those oven bags and it turns out awesome, plus they shorten the cooking time!

GABride2010

We brine our turkey, and we have done this for the last 3-4 years. We also smoke it after brining. DH and I use this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/out-of-this-world-turkey-brine/. This brines for 2 days in a cooler with ice.

My parents use this one: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/honey-brined-smoked-turkey-recipe2/index.html. This brines overnight in a cooler with ice.

Don't worry about the large amount of salt in the brine. It will NOT make your turkey salty, unless you add a lot salt when cooking. I love brined turkeys. They are so good! 

Let me know if you need any help!!

kmmssg

I started brining my turkeys about 8 or 9 years ago and would never go back to not doing it.  I used to use the roasting bags, but you end up with steamed turkey and soggy skin.  I always brine and the bird gets a good massage with butter under the skin and outside.  I get a bird that looks like it should be in a magazine.  All because I listened to Alton Brown.

bpphoto785

They must have improved the roasting bags in the past 8 or 9 years because my turkey is definitely not soggy!