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!
Pre brined turkey has become increasingly popular for holiday meals and special gatherings. But what exactly does “pre brined” mean? And how does it impact cooking and seasoning the turkey? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pre brined turkeys to help you prepare the perfect bird.
What is Pre Brining?
Pre brining refers to a turkey that has been treated with a saltwater solution before you purchase it. The turkey is soaked in the brine allowing it to absorb moisture and flavor. Brining makes the turkey incredibly juicy tender, and flavorful. The brine is typically a combination of water, salt, sugars, and aromatics like herbs and spices. Companies can even inject the solution deep into the meat for maximum effect.
Pre brined turkeys provide huge convenience for home cooks. Brining a raw turkey yourself takes lots of time and planning – up to 2 days in advance! With a pre brined turkey, that work is already done for you. All you need to do is thaw, season, and roast for a foolproof, delicious turkey every time.
Benefits of Choosing Pre Brined
There are several key advantages that make pre brined worth the small added cost
- Convenience – Saves you the lengthy brining process at home
- Flavor – Absorbs seasonings and spices from the brine
- Juiciness – Retains significantly more moisture
- Tenderness – Brining breaks down muscle fibers
- Reliability – Results are consistent since brining is precise
You’ll also find pre brined turkeys are quite forgiving It’s much harder to overcook and dry them out compared to an unbrined turkey.
Popular Pre Brined Turkey Brands
Several national turkey brands sell pre brined options, like:
- Butterball – The most famous brand, with numerous pre brined varieties
- Jennie-O – Known for quality and consistent results
- Shady Brook Farms – Offers premium and organic pre brined turkeys
- Honeysuckle White – Includes pre brined young hens and toms
- Norbest – Pre brines their turkeys in a traditional salt solution
Look for “pre basted,” “self basted,” “enhanced,” or “solution added” on the label to identify a pre brined turkey. Kosher turkeys are also pre brined.
Seasoning a Pre Brined Turkey
Since the turkey already has salt and flavor from brining, traditional seasoning needs some adjustment:
- Don’t salt additionally – It’s already well seasoned
- Do use aromatics – Stuff cavity with onions, garlic, citrus, herbs
- Do pat skin dry – Helps crisp the skin while roasting
- Do coat in oil/butter – Encourages browning
- Do use salt-free seasoning – Pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika
Focus on bringing out the best flavors instead of trying to heavily season. Let the existing brine shine through.
Cooking a Pre Brined Turkey
Cooking a pre brined turkey is similar to cooking any turkey, with a few tweaks:
- Use a meat thermometer – Cook to 165°F in breast and thighs
- Cook at 325°F – Prevents overcooking the tender meat
- Calculate cook times – Pre brined may cook faster than unbrined
- Shield breast – With foil if it browns too fast
- Let rest 20 minutes – Allows juices to redistribute
Refer to the size chart on your turkey’s packaging for estimated cook times. You want the lowest temperature that will crisp the skin to avoid drying out.
If you want to deep fry, smoke, or grill your pre brined turkey, you can! Just monitor temperatures closely.
Common Pre Brined Turkey Questions
If you’re new to cooking pre brined turkeys, you may be wondering:
- Can you over brine? Yes, so don’t brine it again yourself.
- Can you stuff it? Yes, but use low sodium stuffing.
- Can you reuse the brine? No, discard it after opening the package.
- Can you cook from frozen? Not recommended. Always thaw first.
Pre brining helps ensure a juicy, delicious turkey, but proper handling is still important for food safety.
The Benefits of Choosing Pre Brined
When it comes to preparing the holiday bird, pre brined turkeys provide foolproof results with much less effort on your part. Since the lengthy brining process is already done, you can skip straight to roasting for a guaranteed tender and flavorful turkey. Pre brined options offer convenience along with peace of mind that your turkey will impress guests and have them going back for seconds.
How long to defrost a turkey
For even cooking, be sure that the turkey is fully defrosted before roasting. Defrosting in the refrigerator ensures that the turkey remains at a safe temperature. Estimate 1 day per 4 lbs of turkey to fully defrost in the refrigerator. For example, for a 16-pound turkey, allow 4 days.
You can skip this step if using a fresh (not frozen) turkey.
Dry Brine Measurements for Different Sizes of Turkey
When using a dry brine, use the size of the turkey as a guide for how much salt to use. Use the following measurements:
Do You Need To Brine A Pre-Brined Turkey: The Debate Is Settled
FAQ
Are all frozen turkeys pre-brined?
When you buy a frozen turkey, it’s technically not 100% turkey. They often are injected with a basting solution of water, salt and spices—more of it than with fresh turkeys—to amp up the flavor and make the meat extra juicy.
Do you wash a pre-brined turkey?
Jessica, your instincts are right on. Not only is rinsing poultry unnecessary, it’s downright dangerous and every food safety organization I know recommends against it. Simply pat dry with paper towels. Any excess salt or brine will be removed (along with the moisture which is contrary to browning).
Is Butterball turkey pre-brined?
Butterball whole turkeys are individually pre-brined for convenience and taste, but if you want even more flavor and juiciness, you can brine, marinate, or inject your turkey following our step-by-step instructions.
How do you cook a store-bought pre-brined turkey?
Roast the turkey at 450° F for 30 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 325° F. Leave the turkey to roast and self-baste without lifting the lid (this helps promote browning and accurate cook time). Check the internal temperature after it has cooked 11 minutes per pound.