Xanthan Gum Free Easy Turkey Brine

Total time12 hr 25 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time10 min

4.6

(29)

A beautifully brined turkey is the secret behind that impossibly juicy, flavorful roast that has everyone asking what you did differently. This brine is built entirely from pantry staples and fresh aromatics — kosher salt, sugar, garlic, lemon, and a handful of herbs — so there are absolutely no thickeners, stabilizers, or additives to worry about. That matters more than you might think, since some commercial brining blends and seasoning packets sneak in unexpected ingredients that can be a problem for those avoiding certain food additives. Here, everything in the pot is exactly what it looks like. The lemon and fresh thyme and rosemary steep into the hot liquid, filling your kitchen with an aroma that already feels like a holiday. Cooling the brine down with ice before the turkey goes in is a smart food-safety step that also keeps the process simple and stress-free. After 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator, you pull out a bird that's seasoned all the way through and practically guaranteed to stay moist in the oven.

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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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