Miss Sarah K's Turkey Brine

Brine your turkey.  Always.  Especially during the holidays.  That way it will cook evenly, taste great, and stay moist even if you screw it up.

So here's how you do it.


Get your turkey and stick it in the fridge. 

For the brine:

Per Gallon of Water (you may need to make more depending on size of turkey):

6 Sprigs fresh Rosemary
8-10 leaves Fresh sage
1 handful of fresh thyme
4-6 garlic cloves
1 1/4 cup of sea salt
1 cup sugar source of your choice:  apple cider, OR sugar (white or brown) OR Jelly

Bring to a boil, then allow to cool.  Place your turkey in a container large enough to brine it.  If you don't have a container large enough, use a cooler (in which case you place the turkey in a clean, large trash bag then into the cooler).  Pour cooled brine over turkey and refridgerate overnight (if using the cooler method, place bag with turkey & brine into the cooler.  Place bag opening over the top of the cooler so it hangs out the side, not letting any brine out.  Pour ice to cover and keep cool overnight).

The next day, rinse the turkey off and let come close to room temperature.  This will help the turkey bake evenly (or fry or whatever you have in mind) and not dry out.  Discard the brine.

When you're ready to bake your turkey, stuff it with more fresh rosemary, sage, garlic, and half a lemon.  Place turkey in pan breast side up.  Squeeze the other half of the lemon over the turkey, then place the rind in the broasting pan.  Slather some room-temp butter over your turkey (you really don't need more than 1/2 stick, regardless of what people tell you - less is more), then sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place more fresh rosemary, sage, garlic and thyme around the turkey in the pan.  Bake according to package instructions, using a meat thermometer to make sure turkey is the proper temperature.  Do not overbake.  Allow turkey to set for at least 20 minutes before carving (this will ensure the juices stay in there).

Drain the drippings and use them for the gravy.  I guarantee you will get rave reviews using this recipe.  Now get to it, and enjoy more turkey.