Brining a turkey can help to ensure tender, juicy meat that is full of flavor. But have you ever wondered what is better – unbrined, dry brined, or salt water brined turkey? We did a side-by-side comparison. Read on for the results.
For years, I used a salt water brine to prepare my turkey for roasting. But lately it’s becoming increasingly popular for chefs and recipe developers to recommend a dry brine in which you rub the meat with salt and let it rest, allowing the salt to infuse the meat. A lot of the bigger food-centric websites (like Serious Eats and New York Times Cooking Section) recommend dry brining.
I set out to test three methods of roasting a turkey in my home kitchen. I ordered three 14-lb organic turkeys and roasted them 1) without a brine (using my Simple Roasted Turkey method), 2) with a dry brine, and 3) with a salt water brine. My recipes for dry brine and salt water brine can be found at the bottom of the post.
I rounded up some taste testers and did side-by-side comparison of the three turkeys. Results below!
As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach, many home cooks are planning to prepare a turkey as the centerpiece of their festive meals. For most, buying a turkey from the grocery store is the easiest route But can you take a store bought turkey and brine it yourself to amp up the flavor?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely brine a store bought turkey! Brining is a simple process that involves soaking the raw turkey in a saltwater solution to impart extra moisture seasoning, and tenderness to the meat.
While fresh turkeys are ideal for brining, with a few adjustments you can successfully brine turkeys purchased from the supermarket. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about brining a store bought bird.
What is Brining and Why Bother?
Brining is essentially marinating the turkey in a saltwater brine before cooking. The brine is often infused with aromatics like garlic, herbs, and spices to add flavor.
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The salt in the brine seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture. This results in a juicy, tender turkey.
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The water content plumps up the cells in the meat so it stays succulent when cooked.
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Any added flavors permeate the turkey, seasoning it throughout.
Brined turkeys are noticeably more moist, tender, and packed with well-balanced seasoning than unbrined birds. It’s an easy way to guarantee the most flavorful, foolproof turkey possible.
Should You Brine a Store Bought Turkey?
Whether or not a store bought turkey can or should be brined depends largely on two factors:
1. Type of Turkey
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Fresh turkeys that have no additives are the best candidates for brining. You have full control to flavor it.
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Kosher turkeys are heavily salted already through the koshering process. Avoid brining these.
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Self-basting or pre-basted turkeys have been injected with a salt solution and broth or oil. Brining again is not needed.
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Enhanced or flavored turkeys are essentially pre-brined. No additional brining required.
2. Amount of Injection Solution
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Some standard turkeys have a very minor percentage of enhancement solution added. If it’s less than 3% of the total weight, you can still lightly brine it.
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Carefully read ingredient labels to determine if and how much solution has been added.
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When in doubt, call the market or butcher where you purchased the turkey to inquire.
Tips for Safely Brining a Store Bought Bird
To safely brine a store bought turkey while avoiding over-salting, keep these important tips in mind:
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Carefully read ingredient labels for any sign of enhancement or injection.
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Reduce the salt used in your brine recipe, and limit brining time.
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Submerge turkey completely and keep chilled while brining.
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Rinse turkey well after brining, and pat very dry.
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Watch for any signs of excess salt as the turkey cooks.
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Enhance flavor with rubs, butter, or aromatics instead of brining if unsure.
How Long to Brine a Store Turkey
To avoid over-brining, reduce the time you soak a store turkey in the brine. Here are general brining time guidelines:
- 8 to 12 lbs turkey – brine 8 to 12 hours
- 12 to 16 lbs turkey – brine 12 to 16 hours
- 16 to 20 lbs turkey – brine 16 to 20 hours
- 20 to 24 lbs turkey – brine 20 to 24 hours
For a turkey you suspect has been pre-brined, cut these times in half or even quarter them. Thoroughly rinse the brined turkey and pat very dry before roasting.
Alternative Seasoning If Not Brining
If you decide not to brine a store bought turkey, don’t worry – you have options to still achieve maximum flavor. Consider these easy techniques:
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Apply a dry spice rub under the skin and on top of the skin.
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Insert pats of flavored butter or herb butter under the breast skin.
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Fill the cavity with onion, apple, lemon, garlic, woody herbs.
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Roast the turkey on a bed of aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, carrots.
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Frequently baste the turkey with olive oil or melted butter as it roasts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brining Store Turkeys
Can you brine a frozen turkey from the store?
Only if thawed completely first. Brine cannot penetrate frozen meat.
What about brining a kosher turkey?
Avoid brining kosher birds since they are pre-salted in the koshering process.
Is it possible to over-brine poultry?
Yes, brining too long makes the turkey unpleasantly salty. That’s why it’s important to reduce brining times for store bought birds.
What happens if you brine a turkey that’s already been brined?
This can make the turkey way too salty. Taste meat as it cooks for signs of excess salt.
Can you brine just a turkey breast?
You sure can! Adjust brine strength and times based on the size of the breast.
Should you avoid brining a store turkey altogether?
If unsure about pre-brining, it’s safest to season it using other methods like dry rubs and herb butter.
Brine and Roast the Perfect Store Bought Bird
While brining is hands-down the best way to guarantee a moist, well-seasoned turkey, take care when brining store bought birds. With a few smart adjustments and safety checks, you can still achieve amazing results. But when in doubt, opt for alternative seasoning techniques for the safest outcome.
No matter what, your thoughtful preparation will result in a show-stopping store bought turkey to feed family and friends this holiday season!
Salt Water Brine Ratio for 4, 12, and 24 hours
The ratio of salt to water in a brine doesn’t need to be changed based on the size of the turkey, but it should be changed based on the time you plan to brine the bird. Here is a good guide:
Sugar and other Sweeteners in Brine
Adding sugar to a brine can add a subtle sweetness and help with browning of the skin as the sugars caramelize. A roast turkey will get nicely browned even without the added sugar, but you can add brown sugar or maple syrup to any brine recipe. (Add about ¾ as much sugar as salt.)