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11-06-2013, 02:18 PM
Re: (...)
I know there are going to be other questions as Thanksgiving draws closer.
So I thought I would start this thread and begin collecting them.
My question is: Please remind which kind of turkeys are okay to brine?
Cis
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Any that are not injected.
I'll make this a sticky!!
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So the self basting ones can't be brined correct?
Cis
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I have never brined a turkey. I don't have a container big enough since I usually buy 20-25lb birds. So there's my question, just how do you brine a big bird and for how long?
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I've used garbage bags and put in a laundry tray. I know some folks say garbage bags are not food safe, I've never had a problem. I think I brined about 8-10 hours, rinse, dried off and chilled until the next day for stuffing and/or roasting.
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I've never done it, but I've read some folks used a cleaned large cooler. Perfect because it will keep it cold and can be placed safely anywhere. This post
Kenji's take on brining from Serious Eats might be helpful.
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I forgot about the cooler - I did that a couple of times. Great idea
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Okay, here goes -
If you have access to places that sell kosher foods, ask about the Empire brand turkeys. Okay, they're expensive pound-wise, but the most moist chickens and turkeys I've ever bought.
I think the only turkey I brined was for the initial "Movable Feast" to my late In-Laws house and it was just a store brand. Plus I used dark brown sugar so it added to the illusion of a cooked skin. My stuffing was AWESOME!! I got it from an Alton Brown show and Hubby's Dad couldn't have enough, much to the consternation of the MIL, she took his plate away after the 4th helping - which was like a tablespoonful.
Recipes to follow for the stuffing. Just got home from a 12 1/2 day at work, need some down time.
Barbara
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Ok but think about a 23lb bird in a big bag filled with brine. That is not manageable nor would it fit in my fridge. I can fit the bird alone in there but not in a bag filled with water.
If you use a cooler how long are you brining it for? I would think you'd need a LOT of ice to keep it cold and then the melted ice has to drain and you have to have replacement ice.