Turkey Brine Bath

[fresheggs4u]

Can you brine a butterball branc of turkey? My mother-n-law received a 22 lb one from work. I get the pleasure of preparingi it. I read somewhere that I shouldn't because it is already injected with saline solution. The ingredients also confirm that. Can I brine by cutting back the salt?

I had planned on using our farm raised turkey, but she wants to use this one. The family, well that side of city slickers would not have eaten one of my farm birds anyway! Got to break them in slowly!

 

[chicmom]

You know, I read about brining a turkey. It was an article written by Martha Stewart. Do you still cook the turkey for the same amount of time (per pound) when you've brined it?

What exactly does the brining do? Does it change the texture of the bird?

 

[DMRippy]

To me the brine imparts flavor and moisture. I think I read it makes the turkey or chicken tender too. I don't know about the salt already in a turkey. I have used butterballs before but I did not know that about the salt injection stuff. I would think you could lower the salt or none at all and just the other flavors. I use salted butter, I have just never had a problem with the turkey being over salted. It maybe that it will only absorb so much and that is it. IDK use your best judgement on that.

The brine has nothing to do with changing the cooking time. Make sure you use a thermometer and cook to 165 at the thickest part. FOLLOW the COOKING DIRECTIONS!

 

[StupidBird]

I tried the brining at my sister's a few years ago, wow, that was good. We were in a hurry to cook in a small kitchen, so it was boned whole and then grilled. Being all flattened, it cooked faster and brined, omg, was that good.

 

[ChicksterJo]

I read that if you brine for longer than a day or two, adjust the salt in the brine accordingly or else the texture might not be what you're looking for. That's what I did this year since I had to brine our bird for 2 days. I used 3/4 c. kosher salt instead of 1 cup to 2 gallons of water. And don't forget to rub down the inside and outside of the turkey with herb butter if you like even more flavor..it's delicious! Happy Thanksgiving all.