Dry Brine vs Wet Brine-Turkey

xcptnl

I have heard all this talk about wet brining and how much better a turkey tastes when you brine them. But - it just seems like soooo much work. I do not have the space in my frig to store it (because you have to have totally in the brine so you would then have to something big enough to hold the turkey in the brine, etc etc. I just came across some recipes for dry brining. Same idea but you can just keep in the frig covered after you put the brine on it so a large container is not needed.

Has anyone done this method? Good, bad or indifferent?

kathymack

If you have ever had fresh, kosher poultry--it's similar to dry brine idea. Because of the space considerations, I've only brined turkey in the sink for a shorter period of time--and it does make a difference. I do smaller items, like a roaster, in a 2 gallon ziploc in the refrigerator. If you have a large cooler, you could probably do the turkey in that and put it on a back porch, etc.

Why don't you try a roaster, brined, this week and see how you like it and if it's worth it to you to try it with the turkey??

RedCatWaves

You're in the northeast, correct? It's cold enough outside to mimic a refridgerator. I soak my turkey the night before in a big covered crab pot full of salt water and just stick the whole thing out on my back patio. It's never been a problem with animals or anything.

xcptnl

RedCatWaves wrote: »

You're in the northeast, correct? It's cold enough outside to mimic a refridgerator. I soak my turkey the night before in a big covered crab pot full of salt water and just stick the whole thing out on my back patio. It's never been a problem with animals or anything.

RCW - I thought about that but it has been kinda warm here. I thought about using our bigger cooler too and sticking it on the deck.

I am thinking I will try the dry brine for Thanksgiving-I have read about it on Chowhound.com and they all seem to like it and it appears to compare with wet brining.

Then I will pick up a smaller turkey at some point and try the wet brining for us at some point.

jeepcurlygurl

I never brine my turkeys or chickens - wet, dry, or otherwise - so I'm no help.
But man, am I hungry for a stuffed chicken right now!!