Our Favorite Turkey Brine

Ingedients

• 1 gallon of water
• 8 cups apple cider
• 1 ¼ cups kosher salt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
• 7 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• peels from 2 oranges
• 8 cups of ice
• 1 uncooked turkey up to 16lbs.

Additional Items Needed

• Brining Bag
• Large pot, bucket, or cooler to brine turkey in.

Instructions

1.  In a large stockpot combine 1 gallon of water, apple cider, salt, brown sugar, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, cloves, and orange peels.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until salt and brown sugar are disolved.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for at least an hour. (if not using right away store brine in refrigerator)
4. Place brining bag into large container (large pot, 5 gallon bucket, cooler, etc.) and pour in brine and ice.
5. Place turkey (with giblets and neck removed) into the bag.
6. Make sure turkey in completely covered with brine.  You may need to add additional cold water or weigh the turkey down so that it stays submerged.
7. Let the turkey brine at 32 – 40°F for 12-24 hours.
8. Remove turkey from brine bag and discard brine.
9. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry.
10. Cook as desired.