Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The secret to juicy poultry is simple - brine your poultry (chicken or turkey) before grilling or baking!

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This is the secret that chefs never tell you about. It's very easy and economical, and requires no special cookware.

Brining is like a marinade as it keeps food moist and tender. Brining or salting is a way of increasing the moisture holding capacity of meat resulting in a moister product when it is cooked. Salt changes the structure of the muscle tissue in the meat which allows it to swell and absorb water and flavorings which results in a tender turkey or chicken once cooked.

How To Make Brine for Poultry:

Brining poultry is very easy and economical, and requires no special cookware. Brining is like a marinade as it keeps food moist and tender. Brining or salting is a way of increasing the moisture holding capacity of meat resulting in a moister product when it is cooked.

What is a brine: One of the great things about brining is that there are so few rules. Most brines start with water and salt — traditionally, 3/4 pound of salt per gallon of water, but since we’re not concerned with the brine as a preservative, you can cut back on the salt. The amount of brining time is likewise not set in stone. Even a little brining is better than none.

What type of salt to use in brine: Kosher salt and table salt (without iodine) are the most common salts used in brining. Sea salt can be used, but it tends to be quite expensive. I usually use kosher salt.

A cup of table salt and a cup of kosher salt are not equal. Table salt weighs approximately 10 ounces per cup and kosher salt weighs approximately 5 to 8 ounces per cup depending on the brand. If using kosher salt in a brine, you must use more than a cup to achieve the same "saltiness" you would get from a cup of table salt.

What flavorings to add to brine: You can add flavor in all sorts of forms such as herbs and spices. Use brown sugar, honey, or molasses in place of the sugar (some sweetness tends to offset a saltiness the brine might otherwise impart). You can use apple juice, cider, orange juice, beer, wine, rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, stock, tea, or other liquids to replace some or all of the water. You can also put together decidedly Oriental flavorings with soy sauce or the Japanese rice wine mirin. In other words, be creative if you wish!

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Top 10 Turkey Brine Recipes - The 10 Best and Most Popular Turkey Brine Recipes at Barbecue & Grilling

Top 10 Turkey Brine Recipes - The 10 Best and Most Popular Turkey Brine Recipes at Barbecue & Grilling:"

One of the best ways to make a better Turkey is with a good Brine. Brining Turkey is a process of adding moisture and flavor to meat by use of a salt-water mixture. There are many ways to make a great brine and these turkey brine recipes are amongst the best I know. So, whether you are roasting, grilling, smoking, or frying your next turkey, start out with a good brine and make it so much better.

1. Smoked Turkey Brine
This brine recipe makes enough for a whole turkey and will add flavor and give you a juicier and more tender bird.

2. Savory Turkey Brine
This turkey brine gets a portion of its salt from vegetable stock. The combination of spices and herbs will give your bird a rich flavor.

3. Holiday Poultry Brine
This poultry brine is perfect for the holiday turkey. By using stock you get extra flavor with a mild saltiness that makes for a perfect brine.

4. Apple Spice Brine
A brine is typically water and salt with a little sweet to give it flavor. This brine uses fruit juices for water providing flavor and sweet at the same time.

5. TomKattt's Poultry Brine
Tom Katt sent in this brining recipe that is perfect for poultry. Though it works well for most poultry, it is perfect for that holiday turkey.

6. Poultry Brine
This brine works with the added power of pickling spices which increases the moisture in poultry with some great seasonings for more flavor.

7. Maple Brine
This brine can be used on any kind of poultry and pork.

8. Fruity Turkey Brine
The citrus fruit in this brine not only add a great tangy flavor but also act to tenderize the meat of the poultry. The mild acid of the lemon will help to carry flavors deep into the meat.

9. Clove and Honey Brine for Turkey
This brine will give your turkey a subtle sweetness and all the tenderness and moisture of a good poultry brine.

10. Cranberry Turkey Brine
What better to brine a turkey in than cranberry?

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