How to Brine a Turkey and Other Tips for a Perfect Bird

Sometimes it’s a good thing to get a little salty.

Case in point: mastering how to brine a turkey.

(Here’s a complete guide forhow long it takes to thaw a turkeyof all sizes.)

This same method works to brineturkey breasts.

Prep the fridge

Before you go further into brining, clear out space in your fridge.

How to brine a 12-pound turkey or smaller: You’ll need a 10-quart pot with tall sides.

So how much salt to brine a turkey?

The key to making the best turkey brine is the salt-to-liquid ratio.

Too little salt won’t produce an effective brine, and too much will make the turkey salty.

Use ourMaple-Brined Turkeyrecipe to get you started.

you’re able to also add lemon slices for more citrus flavor.

Add 3 quarts of ice and let the brine stand until the ice melts.

Here’s how long to brine a turkey by weight.

For a 12-pound turkey, cover and marinate in the refrigerator 8 to 12 hours.

Marinate for at least 12 hours.

Prepare for rave reviewsand to answer questions from the entire table about how you scored such succulent meat.

“Danger Zone” (40F - 140F).USDA.

Fridge Storage for Food Safety.StateFoodSafety.

Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely.

Food Safety, CDC.