My Thanksgiving (super simple)


 
Clint

Clint

TVWBB Olympian
I've read about and have wanted to try Larry R's JD & Maple brine for several years now and now I'm doing it.

I grabbed a 11.87# natural turkey (butterball) from Costco, along with a spiral sliced ham... I had 2 turkeys in my cart, figuring one to be a Jamacian Jerk but then the Ham caught my eye.

I was a little disappointed when I realized I hadn't bought quite enough whiskey, so poured myself another 3oz drink out of the 8oz (1 cup) I'd reserved for the brine. I'll have to pick up some more tomorrow :).

I also didn't have any pickling spice, much to my surprise, but I had everything needed to make it and so I did.

Several improvisations, I'm sure, so don't let my interpretation of the recipe dissuade you.

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I'll try to update the thread as time progresses.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
 
Looking good! That JD Maple Syrup brine turns out turkey candy! It's awesome.
 
Mine's been on the smoke (pecan) for a couple of hours now.... 11.8# all natural butterball.. It was in the brine for 52 hours, It took 2 gallons water, 2 cups maple syrup (grade b), 1 cup I think of kosher salt,,,,and the pickling spice. It sure smelled good when I took it out! It air dried for about 3 hours in the fridge before I put the turkey on.

I reserved about a cup of the brine and have been simmering some onions, giblets/turkey parts inc neck, topped off with water & covered. I took out the meaty parts and tasted it and whoa boy it sure was good! I stuck a stick blender in my sauce pan & blended the veggies and the maple/jack flavor was reduced. I plan on using this liquid as my gravy base & some in the stuffing.

There's also a ham under the bird (the turkey is in a disposable foil pan).
 
definitely different than I'm used to, and definitely good! Thanks for sharing Larry and I'm glad I tried it!

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My first plate ;)
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I keep thinking about this brine........ for chickens, ham, pork loin,,,,,,, the jack & maple combined with the pickling spice (make your own!)...........

The stock I used for the gravy & stuffing also worked very well!!! best stuffing *I've* ever made, and probably the best gravy, and turkey, for that matter..

I didn't have any butter so I used the equivalent of ranch in place of the butter in the stuffing. I also had to bake it for almost 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes or so after the first 30 minutes. I added around 4 celery stalks, maybe 5, and 2 onions (cake pan sized stuffing batch). Mrs Cubbionson's stuffing package
 
Great post looks crazy good Clint. Got two birds and a breast in the freezer one of them is going to get this brine.
 
Great looking turkey and ham. How was the gravy that you started with the brine? I need to try that brine.
 
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