Honey-Apple Turkey Brine
Description
Brine a turkey (or chicken) overnight in this recipe for a subtly sweet brine made with apples and honey for a juicy, flavorful showstopper turkey.
Ingredients
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4 cups water
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1 cup kosher salt
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1 cup honey
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1 large red apple, cored and thinly sliced
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1 medium onion, quartered
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3 cloves garlic, crushed
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3 large bay leaves
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2 sprigs fresh rosemary
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2 sprigs fresh thyme
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2 sprigs fresh sage
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1 tablespoon black peppercorns
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8 cups apple cider
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4 cups ice
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1 cup apple cider vinegar
Directions
1
Heat water in a large stockpot over medium-high heat to a simmer. Add salt and honey; stir to dissolve. Off heat, stir in apple slices, onion, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, sage, and peppercorns. Cool brine to room temperature. Set the pot in a sink full of ice water to speed up the cooling process, if desired.
2
Stir in apple cider, ice, and apple cider vinegar. Chill brine to 40 degrees F (4 degrees C), or colder, before using.