Should I Brine a Jennie-O Turkey? Everything You Need to Know

As Thanksgiving approaches it’s time to start thinking about the star of your holiday meal – the turkey! Jennie-O is one of the most trusted turkey brands known for high-quality delicious birds. But should you take the extra step to brine your Jennie-O turkey? The answer is yes – brining provides huge benefits and it’s recommended by the experts at Jennie-O.

Why Should I Brine My Turkey?

Brining is the process of soaking your raw turkey in a saltwater solution before cooking. Here are the top reasons why brining improves your turkey:

• Prevents drying out – Brining helps the turkey stay incredibly moist and juicy as it cooks. The saltwater gets absorbed deep into the meat.

• Makes it more flavorful – The brine not only keeps it juicy, but also infuses more flavor. You can add herbs spices citrus etc. to the brine.

• Tenderizes the meat – The salt in the brine helps break down muscle fibers, making the turkey more tender.

• Enhances browning – Brined turkeys brown better for a beautiful crispy golden skin.

• It’s easy – Brining just takes a little advance planning, but is very simple. The ingredients are easy to find

• Great for large birds – It’s especially useful for big turkeys prone to drying out.

So brining gives you a moister, more flavorful and tender turkey with gorgeous browned skin.

Jennie-O Recommends Brining Their Turkeys

As the expert when it comes to turkeys, Jennie-O strongly recommends brining all their whole turkey varieties.

According to Jennie-O’s culinary lead, brining leads to a “delicious result when a turkey is brined and roasted properly.”

They suggest brining all their turkeys including the popular Oven Ready, organic, fresh and frozen birds.

How to Brine a Jennie-O Turkey

Brining a Jennie-O turkey is simple but does require some advance preparation:

• Make brine 1-2 days before – Mix your saltwater brine, cool it, and submerge the thawed turkey 8-12 hours before cooking.

• Use a large cooler – This saves fridge space. Keep the turkey submerged with ice.

• Try a savory brine – Jennie-O suggests herbs, citrus, spices, and aromatics like garlic.

• Rinse after brining – Rinse the turkey well and pat it completely dry.

• Roast as desired – Cook your brined turkey in the oven or deep fry.

Jennie-O provides a detailed brining guide with tips, tricks and a simple brine recipe you can follow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brining Jennie-O Turkeys

Should you brine a pre-brined turkey?

No, do not brine a Jennie-O turkey that has already been enhanced with a salt solution. Only brine their standard fresh and frozen turkeys.

How long should you brine?

Aim for 8-12 hours of brining time for best flavor and moisture.

Can I stuff my turkey after brining?

Yes, it’s fine to stuff your turkey after brining. Just account for the extra cook time.

What about a dry brine?

A dry brine with salt, sugar and spices also works very well. Simply coat the turkey and refrigerate 1-3 days.

Should I brine a small turkey?

Even small turkeys benefit from brining for moisture and flavor. Just reduce the brine ingredients.

What liquid should I use for brining?

Water, broth, juice, cider, wine and tea make excellent brine bases. Avoid alcohol if brining over 8 hours.

Brining Your Jennie-O Turkey Leads to the Best Results

When it comes to preparing the star of your Thanksgiving meal, brining is key for a Jennie-O turkey.

The experts at Jennie-O agree – taking the time to brine your turkey ensures a super moist, tender and flavorful holiday bird with beautiful browned skin.

This Thanksgiving, do your meal right and brine your Jennie-O turkey. Your dinner guests will be gobbling up the incredibly tasty, juicy meat.

Brining does require some advance planning, but it’s worth it. Trust Jennie-O and the experts – you should absolutely brine your turkey for mouthwatering results!