We are getting a 18-20lb. turkey this year and I want to try brining it for the first time. When I brine things I use 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of brown sugar per gallon of water plus herbs. My question is can too much of each be put in the brine. In other words, lets say it takes three gallons of liquid for the bird. That would mean I have to use 1 1/2 cups each of salt and sugar. To me that seems like a lot. Is there a maximum amount of salt and sugar that should be used or maybe I should ask if there is a minimum amount that can be used that will still work? And also, when using apple juice or cider, should less sugar be used to make up for the sweetness of the liquid?
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Brining a big bird?
- Thread starter Dave L.
- Start date
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> My question is can too much of each be put in the brine. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The literal answer to your question is yes. One can add too much salt to a brine. Many suggest obtaining a 5% salt solution which equates to about 6-8 oz of salt (1 cup of kosher salt) per gallon. Measuring by weight is more accurate due to the variations in crystal size. For example, kosher salt crystals take up more space than ordinary table salt; thus a cup of each will weigh different amounts.
However, if you stay with the basic ratio, then you would not be using too much salt by increasing the total amount of the brine solution.
The literal answer to your question is yes. One can add too much salt to a brine. Many suggest obtaining a 5% salt solution which equates to about 6-8 oz of salt (1 cup of kosher salt) per gallon. Measuring by weight is more accurate due to the variations in crystal size. For example, kosher salt crystals take up more space than ordinary table salt; thus a cup of each will weigh different amounts.
However, if you stay with the basic ratio, then you would not be using too much salt by increasing the total amount of the brine solution.
Thanks Paul, the water total was just a number off the top of my head. I think I'm going to get some big zip loc bags to put the bird in so I can use less brine. My thought was to put the bird in a bag with the appropiate amount of water then put the bag in a cooler and surround the bag with ice and brine overnight. I would think that will keep the bird cold enough.
You can certainly try the large zip locks...a bird that size and the extra brine puts stress on the 'zip lock'; so keep an eye on it. I use food grade 5 gal buckets (free from restaurants or purchase from homebrew supply co). You can also use an ice chest without the zip locks. Your plan should work.
Paul
Paul
I was thinking of using one of those XL zip loc bags like Chris has in the basic brining section. I do have an empty five gallon food bucket that I could use. Do you put ice in the bucket with the brine and turkey or around the outside? If you put ice with the brine how do you figure out the liquid measurement with the added ice. I mean for example how much liquid is one cup of ice cubes? Is the ratio about the same as one cup of liquid?