Delicious Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe For A Perfectly Juicy Bird

I love having a delicious, juicy turkey for my holiday dinner, and I’ve been using this citrus turkey brine recipe for years! It’s always a hit with my family and friends, and I’m sure it will be a hit with you, too. The combination of orange, lemon, and lime juices give the turkey a wonderfully subtle citrus flavor, and the blend of spices in the brine create a savory, flavorful turkey that’s truly unforgettable. So give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe

Prep Time

90 mins

Total Time

180 mins

Servings

5 servings

Citrus Turkey Brine

Ingredients

  • 5 cups water
  • 1/2 cup sea salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme

Instructions

  • Start by gathering all the ingredients you need for this Citrus Turkey Brine recipe. You’ll need 5 cups of water, 1/2 cup of sea salt, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice, 2 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
  • In a large pot, combine the 5 cups of water, 1/2 cup of sea salt, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice.
  • Next, stir in 2 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
  • Put the pot over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer the brine for 90 minutes.
  • After 90 minutes, turn off the heat and let the brine cool completely.
  • Now your Citrus Turkey Brine is ready for use! Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 61
  • Total Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 1245mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Protein: 1g

What types of citrus fruits should i use for a turkey brine?

When you’re brining a turkey, you can’t go wrong with using citrus fruits! Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines – they all bring a sweetness and tartness that is essential in creating a delicious, juicy turkey. But which one should you choose?

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To make the decision easier, you can start by looking at the taste. Lemons and limes are both tart and acidic, perfect for balancing out the salty brine. Oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits all bring a slightly sweeter flavor to the mix. You can also decide based on texture; lemons and limes are more delicate and will break down quicker, while oranges and grapefruits are heartier and will last longer in the brine.

For the best of both worlds, try using a combination of citrus fruits! A mix of lemons, oranges, and limes will create a bright, zesty flavor that will bring out the natural sweetness of the turkey.

No matter which citrus fruits you choose, the key is to use them in the right proportions. If you’re using a combination of fruits, make sure to keep the proportions balanced and use the freshest fruits you can find. This will ensure that your turkey brine is full of flavor and will give you a juicy, delicious turkey.

What are the benefits of brining a turkey with citrus?

If you’re looking for a delicious, juicy turkey this holiday season, you should consider brining it with citrus! Citrus turkey brine is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your turkey, and it has some extra benefits, too. Here are just a few of the benefits of brining a turkey with citrus:

  • Increased juiciness: Adding citrus to your turkey brine helps to tenderize the meat naturally. The result is a juicier and more flavorful turkey that your family and friends will love!.
  • More flavor: The citrus in the brine helps to infuse the turkey with flavor, making it more flavorful than ever. Plus, the natural acidity of the citrus helps to break down the proteins in the turkey, which helps to further enhance the flavor.
  • Longer shelf life: Citrus-brined turkey will stay fresher, longer. The acidity from the citrus helps to preserve the turkey, giving it a longer shelf life.
  • Healthier option: Citrus-brined turkey is a healthier option than other brines because it has no added sodium or sugar. This makes it a great option for those watching their sodium or sugar intake.
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With all these great benefits, it’s no wonder why citrus turkey brine is so popular. Not only does it make your turkey more flavorful and juicy, it also adds some extra health benefits as well.

How much citrus should i use for a brine?

If you’re looking to make a citrus turkey brine, you’ll need to use about 1 cup of a combination of citrus juices for every quart of liquid – this includes both the water and any other liquid you might be using. That means that for a typical 8-quart brine, you’ll need 8 cups of citrus juice. You don’t have to use just one kind of citrus, either – mix and match to create a unique flavor for your brine. Try a combination of orange, lemon, lime, and/or grapefruit juices to create a delicious flavor.

What other ingredients should i add to the brine?

When it comes to adding other ingredients to your citrus turkey brine, you have an array of possibilities to choose from! Start with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and onion. Then, you can add herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage to give your brine more flavor. Spice up your brine with some bay leaves, black peppercorns, and allspice. Finally, add a touch of sweetness with some honey or maple syrup. All these ingredients will work together to create a flavorful, juicy and succulent turkey.

How long should i brine a turkey?

If you’re looking to give your turkey an extra boost of flavor, brining is the way to go! But how long should you brine the bird? It really depends on the size of your turkey. Generally, if you’re brining a smaller bird (10-12 pounds), you should plan on brining for 12-24 hours. For larger birds (14-20+ pounds), brining for 24-48 hours will be best.

When you’re brining your bird, make sure you use a citrus-infused turkey brine. The zesty, citrus flavors will really bring out the flavor of your turkey and make it extra juicy and delicious. Start with a basic brine recipe, adding some citrus fruits to add a bright, fresh flavor. For example, grapefruit, orange, lime, and lemon all work great.

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For a complete flavor-packed citrus turkey brine, you can also add some herbs, such as rosemary, sage, and thyme. These herbs will give your turkey a unique, herby flavor. Make sure to add your herbs during the last hour of brining.

No matter how long you brine your turkey, it’s important to remember that brine is a salty solution. To avoid over-salting your bird, make sure to rinse off the brine before cooking. This will help to ensure that your turkey is perfectly seasoned and not too salty.

By following these simple steps and brining your turkey for a recommended amount of time, you can guarantee that your turkey will be insanely flavorful and juicy.

What happens if i don’t brine a turkey?

If you don’t brine your turkey, it’s likely to come out dry and overcooked. Brining your turkey is the key to getting juicy, flavorful and tender results. A citrus turkey brine, in particular, adds a unique and delicious flavor profile that you’re missing out on if you skip this step.

You can still achieve a delicious turkey without a brine, but it’s not recommended. Brining adds more moisture to your turkey, and helps the bird retain flavor. Without the brine, you will have to rely on other methods to bring flavor and moisture to your turkey, such as a dry rub, basting, and stuffing.

When you use a citrus turkey brine, your turkey will be infused with a delightful blend of citrus flavors, including lemon, lime, and orange. The citrus will give your turkey a bright and zesty flavor that you won’t be able to achieve without the brine. The brine also helps the turkey remain tender, so you don’t have to worry about a dry, chewy texture.

In short, you won’t regret taking the time to brine your turkey. A citrus turkey brine will add flavor and moisture, and will help make your bird the star of the show. If you don’t brine your turkey, you’re missing out on all the deliciousness that a brine has to offer.

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