Kittencals Best Brown Sugar Turkey Brine Recipes

KITTENCAL'S PERFECT ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY (GREAT FOR BEGINNERS)

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degrees F, convection oven heat set to 320 degrees F.
• Set oven rack to lowest position.
• Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
• Rinse the turkey well with cold water inside and out then pat dry with a paper towel.
• Place the turkey on a rack on a roasting pan.
• In a small bowl mix together the melted butter with oil (I also like to add in 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the oil/butter mixture if you are a garlic-lover then use it).
• Fill the inside cavity loosley with prepared stuffing (if you are not using stuffing then tie the legs together with cotton butchers twine).
• Using clean hands rub the outside of the turkey with the oil/butter/garlic mixture.
• Season the turkey all over with salt and lots fresh ground black pepper.
• If you are NOT stuffing the bird place breast-side down on the rack, if stuffing leave breast-side up.
• Place/tent a large piece of heavy foil over the turkey.
• Place the pan in the oven, then pour about 4-5 cups chicken broth in the pan.
• Keep basting the turkey about every 30-40 minutes with the pan juices on the bottom of the pan (removing the foil and re-tenting every time you baste).
• If you see the juices starting to evaporate then add in more broth to the pan about 2 cups at a time.
• After about 2-1/2 hours of cooking time remove the foil.
• Keep roasting (325 degrees F) until the internal thermometer reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).
• The total cooking time for this 18-pound stuffed bird should be about 4 hours.
• Transfer the cooked turkey to a large serving platter, cover loosley with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving (DO NOT slice the turkey before 30 minutes or all juices will flow out of the bird!).
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• **NOTE** cooking times for whole turkeys cooked at 325 degrees are as follows.
• For an 8-12 pound turkey, roast for 2-3/4 to 3 hours.
• For a 12-14 pound turkey, roast for 3 to 3-3/4 hours.
• For a 14-18 pound turkey, roast for 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours.
• For an 18-20 pound turkey, roast for 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 hours.

KITTENCAL'S BUTTERMILK POULTRY BRINE (FOR CHICKEN OR TURKEY)

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix or whisk the buttermilk, shallots, garlic, salt, sugar, cumin (if using) and black pepper until the sugar and salt is completely dissolved.
• Rinse the chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place the chicken in the buttermilk mixture; toss with clean hands to coat the chicken in the mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 8-24 hours.
• Rinse the chicken quick and just slightly under cold water to remove the onions and garlic if desired before cooking or grilling.
• Grill or oven-bake as desired.

KITTENCAL'S BASIC BROWN SUGAR BRINE FOR MEAT AND POULTRY

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together the brown sugar and kosher salt in water until thoroughly mixed (no granules should remain in the water).
• Pour the mixture over meat making certain to cover completely.
• Soak the meat for 6-24 hours.
• Wash meat thoroughly under cold water before cooking.

ULTIMATE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot. Stir salt and sugar into the water until dissolved; bring water again to a boil. Add cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, and thyme to the water, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook mixture at a simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Refrigerate brine until completely cooled.

THE BEST TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a non-reactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, plastic garbage bag.) Add the oranges, lemons, and poultry herbs. I like to squeeze out some of the juices from the oranges and lemons into the solution before I add them. (Note: If you have a big turkey and need more brine, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every additional gallon of water.).
• Remove the neck, giblets, and liver from the cavity of the turkey and reserve. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
• Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Remove turkey from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Pat dry and prepare turkey according to your recipe.