I love to smoke a turkey for the holidays.  I have discovered that the only way to smoke an amazing turkey is to brine the turkey (and to tell you the truth, I even brine my oven-baked turkeys now).  Without brining, the turkey can be dry and tough. However, if you use a standard brine, the turkey is guaranteed to be juicy and tender.  This year, I decided to step up my brining process by using a super flavorful broth. The results were downright amazing.  I know you will enjoy!

Broth Based Turkey Brine

In a large pot, bowl or bucket, add four 32oz containers of chicken broth.

Next, add 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon dried sage and 1 tablespoon dried marjoram.  Stir until the herbs are dispersed.

Add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup kosher salt and 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce.  Stir until dissolved.

Finally, add 8 cups of cold water.

In a large bucket or pot lined with a cooking bag, place the turkey legs up.

Pour the brine over the turkey and brine for 12 to 24 hours.  Make sure to keep the brining turkey in a refrigerator.

When ready to cook, remove the turkey and drain.  Pat the turkey dry and cook according to your favorite method.

Print

Broth Based Turkey Brine

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

12 hrs

Total Time

12 hrs 15 mins

A super flavorful and easy Turkey Brine

Course: Turkey Brine

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1

Author: Rex

Ingredients

• 128 oz Chicken Broth - 4 - 32oz Chicken Broth
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tbs Marjoram dried
• 1 tbs Thyme dried
• 1 tbs Rosemary dried
• 1 tbs Sage dried

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bowl or bucket, add four 32oz containers of chicken broth.
2. Add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup kosher salt and 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce. Stir until dissolved.
3. Next, add 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon dried sage and 1 tablespoon dried marjoram. Stir until the herbs are dispersed.
4. Finally, add 8 cups of cold water.
5. In a large bucket or pot lined with a cooking bag, place the turkey legs up.
6. Pour the brine over the turkey and brine for 12 to 24 hours. Make sure to keep the brining turkey in a refrigerator.
7. When ready to cook, remove the turkey and drain. Pat the turkey dry and cook according to your favorite method.

Check out these methods for cooking a turkey:

How to smoke a turkey

Herb roasted turkey