Many home cooks brine their turkeys to help retain moisture and impart flavor. Finding sufficient room in the crowded refrigerator during holidays can be tricky. Luckily, the fridge drawer provides the ideal space to comfortably brine a turkey!
Why Brine Your Turkey?
Soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution before roasting helps in several ways
- Infuses flavor into the meat
- Makes the turkey incredibly moist and juicy
- Allows seasoning to penetrate deep into the flesh
- Helps the meat retain moisture when cooking
- Provides a little forgiveness if you overcook it
Brining is an easy way to help guarantee a flavorful tender turkey. But finding room for a large container in a packed fridge is a common headache.
The Fridge Drawer is the Perfect Brining Spot
Rather than struggling to jam a big pot or bucket in on a shelf simply place the brining turkey right in the fresh food drawer. Here’s why it works so well
- Provides plenty of space for turkeys up to 18 lbs
- Keeps the turkey submerged during the long brine
- Allows you to still access contents of the fridge
- Catches leaks better than a shelf
- Maintains an ideal cool temperature
- Frees up room on crowded fridge shelves
The drawer becomes a dedicated turkeys-only brining station, keeping it securely contained.
Steps for Brining Turkey in the Fridge Drawer
Brining a turkey in the fridge drawer is simple. Follow these steps:
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Select a turkey – 10 to 18 lb. birds work best. Make sure it fits in drawer.
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Make brine – Dissolve salt and sugar in water. Add flavorings like herbs. Cool fully.
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Place turkey in drawer – Put turkey in breast-side up. Pour in cooled brine to cover.
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Weight down – Weigh down with a plate to keep submerged. Cover with foil.
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Let soak overnight – Brine 8 to 12 hours in 40°F fridge drawer.
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Remove and pat dry – Drain well, pat very dry inside and out with paper towels.
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Roast as usual – Roast immediately after brining. Discard used brine.
Brining overnight in the fridge drawer allows the turkey to soak up all the delicious flavors.
Tips for Fridge Drawer Turkey Brining Success
Follow these handy tips:
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Chill brine before adding turkey so it doesn’t raise fridge temp.
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Make sure turkey is fully submerged. Weigh down with a plate or jars.
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Tightly seal drawer with foil to contain leaks. Place tray underneath.
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Brine 8 to 12 hours, no more than 24 hours to avoid over-brining.
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Thoroughly pat the skin and cavity completely dry after brining.
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Roast turkey immediately after removing from brine for food safety.
Big Batch Brine Recipes for Multiple Turkeys
Planning on brining more than one turkey for a crowd? Here are some large batch brine recipes:
Apple Cider Brine
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 5 sprigs rosemary
- 5 sprigs thyme
Citrus Herb Brine
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Zest and juice from 3 lemons
- Zest and juice from 3 oranges
- Small bunch sage, rosemary, thyme
Spicy Cajun Brine
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup salt
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
Scale up the brine to accommodate multiple turkeys. Use the fridge drawer, large cooler, or clean bucket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fridge Drawer Brining
What size turkey fits best?
Turkeys 10 to 18 lbs work well. Anything larger may not fit. Smaller birds under 8 lbs can brine in a large pot or container.
How long should you brine?
Plan on 8 to 12 hours of brining time for optimal flavor and moisture retention. Don’t exceed 24 hours or turkey will get too salty.
Can you brine a frozen turkey?
No, turkeys must be fully thawed before brining. The brine can’t penetrate while still frozen.
Can you cook a turkey immediately after brining?
For food safety, turkeys should be roasted immediately after rinsing and drying from the brine.
What if my fridge drawer leaks?
Line the bottom of the drawer with a tray to catch drips. Seal tightly with foil. Avoid overfilling past drawer capacity.
Enjoy Foolproof Juicy Turkeys with Fridge Drawer Brining
Brining turkey in the fridge drawer simplifies the process while maximizing flavor. By utilizing the ample empty space, you can avoid fridge shelf tetris and keep your brining turkey securely contained. Follow proper food safety and the bird will turn out incredibly moist and packed with taste. Give it a try this holiday season for your best turkey yet!
How Long to Brine a Turkey
Brine your turkey for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the better, but honestly, even a quick brine does wonders for the turkey. If you only have a few hours before it needs to go in the oven, then its still worth doing.
Be sure to keep your turkey covered and refrigerated while brining.
How to Cook a Brined Turkey
Once brined, cook the turkey as usual—just pat it dry and carry on with your recipe! Two notes:
- Brined turkeys cook faster: I find that brined turkeys tend to cook a little more quickly than regular turkeys, so start checking the temperature of the breast and thigh meat halfway through your estimated cooking time.
- Stuffing a brined turkey: Yes, you can stuff a brined turkey if you so desire! This will increase the overall cooking time. Be sure to check that the internal temperature of the stuffing is at 165°F before removing the turkey from the oven.
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