Go Back Email Link
a whole turkey in an apple cider herb brine

Apple Cider Turkey Brine

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Brining Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
This easy apple cider turkey brine is a wonderful, seasonal wet brine!
Made with simple ingredients like salt, apple cider and fresh herbs to make your turkey or turkey breast extra juicy.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup salt , per gallon of water, see notes
  • 4 bay leaves, dried
  • 6 rosemary sprigs, fresh
  • ¼ cup sage leaves, fresh
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • cold water, enough to fill your brine pot or bin to cover the turkey, see notes

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Make the brine. In a large stainless steel pot or brining bin large enough to submerge your turkey, add the apple cider, salt, bay leaves, rosemary, sage, and apples.
  • Dissolve the salt. To the mixture, pour in 2 cups of water and stir vigorously until the salt has dissolved completely.
  • Add your turkey to the brine, then fill the bin with enough cold water to cover the turkey. If the turkey floats, turn it until bubbles come out of the body cavity and the cavity is filled with brine. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours. The turkey will plump up as it brines, so make sure there's enough head room to accommodate that.
  • Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours. The turkey will plump up as it absorbs the brine, so make sure your brine isn’t going to overflow when you fill it.
  • Before cooking, remove the turkey from the brine. Rinse well, then pat the skin dry with paper towels before applying your spices.

Notes

The amount of water and salt needed depends on your turkey size. Here is a quick guide: 
  • 8-12 pound turkey: 2 gallons of water and 1.5 cups table salt OR 3 cups kosher salt
  • 13-17 pound turkey: 2.5 gallons water and 2 cups table salt or 4 cups kosher salt
  • 18-22 pound turkey: 3 gallons water and 2.5 cups table salt OR 5 cups kosher salt
Once you remove the turkey from the brine, rinse it well and pat the skin dry with paper towels. 
Calories: 629kcal, Carbohydrates: 158g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 113215mg, Potassium: 1382mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 129g, Vitamin A: 231IU, Vitamin C: 25mg, Calcium: 192mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a review or share a photo on Instagram.