Brine for my Turkey

Jude13

We are putting our tree up this weekend and I will also be cooking (BBQ) my turkey. It's a frozen one and although I have had great success in cooking the turkey in the past, done it four times now, I hear to make it even better I should brine it.

I will be smoking the turkey on the Braai (BBQ) so that will be the dominant flavour so the brine will be for moisture. Any advice on my recipe below:

Iced water (in cool-box)
Veg stock with brown sugar (cooled to room temp)
Salt
Pepper Corns
Two halved oranges
Rosemary
Bay Leafs

Cheers

washiskin

I've used this one in the past http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/spiced-and-superjuicy-roast-turkey and it was lovely but then I didn't smoke the turkey. I usually go with a flavoured VERY soft flavoured butter massaged into the breast meat under the skin.

Jude13

That is a long list for the brine

washiskin

I didn't bother with the caraway or mustard seeds (mainly because I didn't have them ) but in order to cut the list dramatically you could use unground Ras-el-Hanout or even ground, just warm gently in a dry pan before adding to the liquid.

Jude13

Ok I need help, the bird defrosted way quicker than expected. So I put it in the brine yesterday with ice water. How long is it good to keep? Do I need to cook it tonight??

Markcheese

<Mod snip>

On the turkey , tried brining it, won't bother again....in fairness it's usually a pretty decent bird to start with ( free range bronze) and I butter baste it ,but couldn't see the point in drowning an already dead turkey ...

Overflow

Jude13 wrote: »

We are putting our tree up this weekend and I will also be cooking (BBQ) my turkey. It's a frozen one and although I have had great success in cooking the turkey in the past, done it four times now, I hear to make it even better I should brine it.

I will be smoking the turkey on the Braai (BBQ) so that will be the dominant flavour so the brine will be for moisture. Any advice on my recipe below:

Iced water (in cool-box)
Veg stock with brown sugar (cooled to room temp)
Salt
Pepper Corns
Two halved oranges
Rosemary
Bay Leafs

Cheers

Unfortunately you will not get good results when brining a frozen turkey. The freezing process damages the cells natural ability to hold moisture and absorb your tasty brine.

Jude13

How long is it good to keep now that its defrosted? Do I need to cook it tonight??

washiskin

Is this any good to you?

http://www.safefood.eu/Healthy-Eating/Food,-Diet-and-Health/Seasonal-Features/Christmas-Tips-Advice/Buying,-storing-and-defrosting-your-turkey.aspx