opinions on frying turkeys

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

If I was cooking the turkey this year, this is what I would use. You might need to double it, depending on how big your turkey is.

1 gallon water
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
6 cloves garlic, crushed
several sprigs of rosemary or thyme
2 bay leaves

Mix a day in advance, bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. Cool and pour into container big enough to hold brine and turkey. Refrigerate, breast side down for at least 12 hours, turning at least once.

We had our TG dinner today since we were on vacation on Thursday. Did this recipe as well. Turned out GREAT. Very tender and juicy.

One note. Mrs. FM makes gravy out of the drippings and didn't anticipate the salt being in there. So the gravy was VERY salty.

[FarrahWaters]

Originally Posted by BigFatMeanie

The turkey turned out pretty good. Significantly more moist than a regular turkey. Overall I don't think the brine added significant flavor to the turkey (I could only really taste it in the outer pieces) but the additional mositure was definitely better than an unbrined turkey.

Well, that's good to know. I've only ever used a basic brine of salt, sugar, and water on turkey, pork, and chicken. Sounds like the best thing to do for flavor is to use a simple brine, then rub some herbs under the skin afterwards.

And FM, I'm sorry your gravy was so salty. Did you use kosher or table salt? Kosher salt grains are bigger, so if you substitute table salt, you're supposed to use a smaller amount. I would try that, and maybe rinsing off the turkey and cavity of extra salt after the brining is done.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by BigFatMeanie

I'm going to try brining this year. Never tried it before. I found a couple of brine recipes on the 'net but if anyone has any favorite brine recipes I would love to see them.

We just use Morton Tenderquick curing salt. Rub liberally over entire turkey and let it sit for a day or two. Penetrates very nicely. A couple of hours in the smoker helps too.