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© Lillys-Table.com Photo of Cranberry Spice Brined Turkey
  • Hard
  • Medium
  • Easy

Prep
Difficulty
Easy

over 1 hour

Time
Estimate
over 1 hour

Icon Heart Healthy

Gluten
Free?
Yes

Winter

Typical
Season
Winter


Nutrition Info

  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Protein

  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Carbs

  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Fats

  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Vegetables



Recipe Detail

Winter

Cranberry Spice Brined Turkey

 

Brining a turkey is such a fabulous almost lazy way to guarantee moisture hits your bird.

Your bird needs to be defrosted and a bit of equipment is also required, including: a large bringing bag or an XL Ziploc and a large roasting pan. Refrigerator space is helpful too. However, a larger cooler with a few ice packs could work in a pinch. The recipe calls for spices, but a small handful of mulling spices could be substituted instead of buying the individual spices.

Ingredients

  • 16 cups cranberry juice, or 1 gallon, divided
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, or raw sugar
  • 4 star anises, whole
  • 2 cinnamons, sticks
  • 2 teaspoons cloves
  • 2 inch pieces ginger, roughly chopped, skin on is fine
  • 1 orange, wash
  • 2 tablespoons black pepper, whole berries
  • 16 cups water, 1 gallon filled with ice
  • 14 lbs turkey, plan on 1lb per person
  • 1 brining bag, xl ziploc bag works well

Serving Size: 10 People



 

Preparation Instructions

Combine half of the cranberry juice with the kosher salt, sugar, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger. You can also skip the spices and toss in about a 1/4 cup of mulling spices instead. Bring up to a simmer for about 15 minutes, dissolving the salt and sugar.

While it is simmering, peel the orange and add in the peels to the pot. Juice or squeeze the remaining orange.

Strain out the spices. Combine the warm brine with the black pepper, remaining juice and ice water.

Place the turkey, innards removed, in a large plastic bag inside of the roasting pan or bucket. Pour in the brine mixture. Add more cold water to cover the turkey as much as possible. Seal or tie up the bag and store in the fridge, a very cool location (about 34-38 degrees) or a cooler with ice packs.

Allow it to rest for 8-24 hours. Flip over at least once during this rest period.

When it is time to roast, remove the bird and rinse well inside and out. Seal up the brining bag and discard.

At this point, follow the directions for roasting the bird.