Sesame Free Easy Turkey Brine
A good brine is the difference between a dry, forgettable holiday bird and one that has everyone asking for your secret. This version layers kosher salt and sugar with garlic, onion, lemon, and a handful of fresh herbs to create a deeply savory, subtly aromatic soak that works its way into every bite. The aromatics steep in hot water first, which draws out their flavor before the cold water and ice bring the temperature down fast — a smart step that keeps food safety in check. Many store-bought seasoning blends and brining mixes sneak in sesame or sesame-derived ingredients, so making your own from scratch means you know exactly what's going into your bird. Every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to find, with no hidden allergens to second-guess. After 12 to 24 hours in the fridge, you pull out a turkey that's seasoned all the way through, incredibly moist, and ready to roast to golden perfection.
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Learn more →Ingredients
1 serving
- 1 gallon cold water, divided
- 1 cup kosher salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 cups ice cubes
Instructions
- 1
Combine 4 cups of the water, the kosher salt, and sugar in a large stockpot over medium heat, stirring until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- 2
Add the garlic, onion, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, peppercorns, and lemon halves to the hot brine. Let the mixture steep for 5 minutes, until fragrant.
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