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Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

We love to use this turkey brine recipe for the most tender and juicy smoked turkey! Add this easy brine to your preparations this holiday season.

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

Cooking a whole turkey is my go-to for large family gatherings and events. We will often use this garbage can turkey cooking process for Thanksgiving turkey and roast a turkey in the oven for Christmas.

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It’s in the spring time when we like to smoke a whole bird on the pellet grill. This smoked turkey brine recipe is the ideal way to prepare our turkey for the smoker.

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

This smoked turkey recipe guides you step-by-step into making a juicy turkey with that delicious smoke flavor. We also love, love, love this Traeger Smoked Turkey Recipe – be sure to try it!

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Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

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WHAT SHOULD I BRINE MY TURKEY IN?

  • We place the raw turkey in an Oven Bag or a large stock pot.
  • turkey roasting bag does the same thing.
  • We’ve used a small cooler and a large Rubbermade container in the past too.
  • A good rule of thumb is to have a large container that will allow the brine to cover the entire bird.
Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe Ingredients

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Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe Ingredients

Simple turkey brine:

Ingredients:

  • White wine vinegar
  • Water
  • Coarse salt
  • Brown sugar
  • Lime, sliced
  • Rosemary stalks
  • Thyme sprigs
  • Bay leaves

Note: this recipe is for a 12 to 20-pound turkey. For a larger bird you will need a bigger brine bag and more vinegar and cold water to cover the entire turkey breast in the wet brine.

Smoked Turkey Brine Process
Smoked Turkey Brine Process

HOW TO MAKE THIS TURKEY BRINE:

1. Place the turkey (empty) into the turkey bag and into the baking dish breast side up.

Tip: Use a fresh turkey, be sure that your frozen turkey has completely defrosted before brining.

Smoked Turkey Brine Process

2. Slice the lime and prep fresh herbs and ingredients.

Smoked Turkey Brine Process

3. Layer all of the fresh and dry brine ingredients on top of the turkey.

Smoked Turkey Brine Process

4. Top with water and vinegar.

Tip: the turkey should be entirely covered by the brine solution. Simply add more water if it’s not so that you have enough brine to cover a large turkey.

Smoked Turkey Brine Process

5. Tie the bag closed and place the dish in the fridge for 12 hours or more. We like to leave the turkey in our brine for at least 24 hours for best results.

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

6. Rinse the brine from the turkey before cooking and pat it dry with paper towel.

Inject the turkey with this butter seasoning recipe and/or cover the skin with an herb butter rub before smoking.

This simple brine makes the most flavorful turkey with a delicious, crispy skin. This easy turkey brine recipe is sure to become a favorite to use when preparing your smoked turkey.

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU BRINE TURKEY?

  • At least 8 hours is the recommended time in the brining process.
  • We choose to brine our bird for 12 hours or more to enhance the tenderness and flavor.
  • You may brine a turkey for up to 24 hours or more!
Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

We also love this turkey brine recipe that yields the same juicy turkey results with a few different ingredients.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ADD TO TURKEY BRINE?

  • apple cider vinegar may be used instead of white wine vinegar
  • kosher salt or table salt can be used in the place of coarse salt
  • use fresh sage in addition to rosemary and thyme
  • add black peppercorns, garlic cloves
  • use apple juice, lemon slices or maple syrup
Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

MORE OF OUR HOLIDAY FAVORITES:

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

If you love this smoked turkey brine recipe, please give it a five star review and help us share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 15 minutes

We love to use this turkey brine recipe for the most tender and juicy smoked turkey! Add this easy brine to your preparations this holiday season.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white wine vinegar
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 cup coarse salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • Lime, sliced
  • 2 fresh rosemary stalks
  • 6-8 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 3 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Place the turkey (empty) into the turkey bag and into the baking dish breast side up.

2. Slice the lime and prep fresh herbs and ingredients.

3. Layer all of the fresh and dry brine ingredients on top of the turkey.

4. Top with water and vinegar.

5. Tie the bag closed and place the dish in the fridge for 12 hours or more. We like to leave the turkey in our brine for at least 24 hours for best results.

6. Rinse the brine from the turkey before cooking and pat it dry with paper towel.

Did you make this recipe?

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about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

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