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Sweet and Savory Maple Turkey Brine
3.43 from 14 votes
Achieve the perfect sweet-and-salty balance with this warm, caramel-infused soak. Using pure maple syrup, this brine beautifully caramelizes the turkey skin while locking in maximum moisture, ensuring your holiday centerpiece is incredibly juicy, tender, and full of complex autumn flavors.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 gallon Water (for the boiling phase)
  • 1 cup Kosher salt (essential for the brining process)
  • 3/4 cup Pure maple syrup (do not use artificial pancake syrup)
  • 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary (adds a woodsy, earthy note)
  • 1 medium Orange (quartered)
  • 1 tbsp Black peppercorns (whole)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (smashed)
  • 1 gallon Ice water (crucial for rapidly cooling the concentrated liquid)

Instructions
 

  • In a large, heavy-duty stockpot, combine 1 gallon of water, Kosher salt, pure maple syrup, fresh rosemary, the quartered orange, black peppercorns, and smashed garlic.
  • Place the pot over medium-high heat. Bring the sweet and savory mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently until the Kosher salt and maple syrup are completely dissolved into the water (about 5-10 minutes).
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Let the aromatics steep in the hot liquid as it cools slightly at room temperature.
  • Pour the maple concentrate into your designated brining container (a massive pot or a heavy-duty brining bag). Immediately pour in the 1 gallon of ice water to drop the temperature fast. Wait until the liquid is entirely ice-cold before proceeding.
  • Submerge your fully thawed, raw turkey into the chilled liquid, breast-side down. Make sure the entire bird is fully covered.
  • Transfer to the refrigerator and let the bird soak for 12 to 24 hours to absorb that beautiful, sweet-and-salty profile.
  • Remove the turkey from the liquid and discard the brine entirely. Pat the bird incredibly dry inside and out with paper towels before roasting to guarantee a spectacularly crispy skin.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 28394mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 89IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 169mgIron: 1mg
Calories: 188kcal
Meal Type: marinade, prep
Cuisine: American
Keyword: maple turkey brine, sweet and salty turkey
Cooking Method: Boiled
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