Harvest Turkey Brine

For the juiciest possible turkey, brine the bird a day or two in advance with this flavor-packed mixture of stocks, wine, fruits, and fresh herbs.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 477 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 4 bay leaves
• ½ yellow onion, sliced
• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock
• kitchen twine
• ¾ cup sea salt
• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container vegetable stock
• 2 cups Pinot Grigio wine
• 2 Fuji apples, sliced
• 2 medium oranges, sliced
• 3 small lemons, sliced
• 1 Anjou pear, sliced
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and crushed
• ½ bunch fresh rosemary, or to taste
• ½ bunch fresh thyme, or to taste
• ½ bunch fresh sage, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons dried bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons dried vegetable flakes
• 2 tablespoons multi-colored whole peppercorns
• 1 gallon iced water
• 1 (11 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 1 extra-large turkey bag

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine chicken stock, vegetable stock, and with wine in a large pot. Toss in apples, oranges, lemons, pear, garlic, and onion. Tie rosemary, thyme, and sage together with kitchen twine; add to the pot. Stir in 1 cup water, salt, sugar, dried peppers, vegetable flakes, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil; stir to dissolve salt and sugar.

Step 2

Remove brine from heat and let cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator.

Step 3

Combine brine with 1 gallon of heavily iced water 1 to 2 days before serving the turkey. Place thawed turkey in an extra-large turkey bag and pour in enough brine to cover completely. Refrigerate.

Step 4

Remove turkey from the brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard brine and start cooking.