Brining a Thanksgiving turkey is a lot less intimidating than most people think. Usually I use Alton Brown's Honey Brined Smoked Turkey recipe, since we like to smoke our turkey. (The best way to cook it as far as I’m concerned.)
However, when the folks at Kikkoman* proposed that I try their way of brining, I was intrigued. Not only would it give me a chance to experience a umami-infused turkey, but it would give me a chance to do two other things: spatchcocking and using my new convection Frigidaire oven to cook it.
Brining made easy
If you have a fairly large turkey, it may not fit in your stockpot. The best way to brine it, is to use a cooler. I had a cheap Styrofoam shipping container on hand, so the first thing I did was to make sure my 10 pound turkey would fit in it easily. Afterwards, I rinsed then bleached the inside, and rinsed it again with a great deal very hot water. (You can use a picnic cooler. Just make sure to clean it thoroughly before and after you brine your turkey.)
I had a feeling that the amount of brine that Kikkoman suggest (see below) wouldn’t be enough to cover the turkey, so I multiplied the amounts by one and a half, which ended up being just right. I followed the directions, then placed the turkey inside the cooler. Then I placed two big cooler packs in Ziploc bags inside plus a Ziploc bag of loose ice on top of the turkey. Not only did want to keep the turkey cool, but since it had a tendency to float, the bag on top served as a weight.
Then I put on the lid and had my husband carry the turkey out to our cold garage to keep cool for eight hours.
Want to know how the turkey turned out? See my post Spatchcocking your Thanksgiving turkey.
Savory Turkey Brine and Leftovers Made Simple
Recipe is for a 16-24 pound fresh turkey
Ingredients:
- 2 gallons cold water
- 10 ounces Kikkoman Soy Sauce
- ½ cup kosher salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried sage
- 2 tablespoons dried celery seed
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Directions:
The night before roasting, remove giblets and turkey neck; rinse turkey inside and out.
- In a large stockpot, or 5-gallon bucket, mix water with remaining ingredients. Stir well until all the salt is dissolved.
- Place turkey in the pot, cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours.
- Remove turkey from the brine, rinse well.
Kikkoman Coupon and Recipes
If you’re interested in brining your turkey in soy sauce, Kikkoman is offering a BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE coupon. Check out the Kikkoman site for four turkey leftover recipes, too:
___________________
Disclosure: Kikkoman sent me a gift card to cover my food expenses. They also sent me product samples, an apron (which I’ll be giving away at a fundraiser) and a cute Kikkoman soy sauce rubber duckie.
