Get ready for the most flavorful turkey of your life with our brine recipe. A keto turkey brine is a great way to add moisture, flavor, and color to your turkey.
A common complaint about turkey is that it's a dry meat. Brining takes away this and the result is a most and tender thanksgiving turkey.
This was the first time that I've ever brined a turkey and was very happy with the results. The Chief Taster's comments were "this is like a Jumeriah turkey!". Back when we lived in Dubai, we would order a precooked turkey from one of the large hotels for Christmas Day so this was a compliment indeed!
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WHAT IS BRINE?
Brine is an aromatic, seasoned liquid that is used as a marinade or to add flavor and moisture to foods. Adding an acidic ingredient and a salt to this liquid is a great way to give meats a good flavor.
The turkey skin and meat absorbs the salted water, which tenderizes the meat and breaks down the proteins, helping the turkey to retain water as it is cooked.
CAN YOU BRINE WITHOUT SUGAR?
Traditional brines use white or brown sugar and some use maple syrup. This brine does not use any sweetener making this keto-friendly and diabetic friendly.
BRINING CONTAINERS FOR TURKEY
The container that you brine the turkey should be large enough for it to be covered in water and also more importantly, food safe. Stainless-steel stock pots, brining bags, plastic containers or glass and ceramic bowls are all safe.
Make sure that you have enough refrigerator space for the container too! Some people brine their turkey in a cooler, but ensure that it's very clean before use.
DRY BRINING
Dry brining is another method to prepare your turkey before roasting. With this method, salt is rubbed all over the turkey and left in the fridge for up to 72 hours. The wet brine gives you the opportunity to infuse flavors into the turkey whereas dry doesn't. However, give the dry brine a try and see if it works for you. It could be done on a chicken too.
KETO TURKEY BRINE INGREDIENTS
Turkey brine ingredients can vary but we went for a citrus, garlic and herb brine. What makes this a keto brine is simply that no sugar is used.
WHAT IS KOSHER SALT?
Kosher salt is used for the brine as the large flakes dissolve well in water. Kosher salt is a coarse sea salt and was originally used in preparing kosher meat, hence the name. It is used in cooking as it has a light salty taste and is not a table salt.
If you can't find kosher salt, sea salt or Himalayan pink salt can be used.
HOW MUCH SALT FOR BRINING?
The general ratio for any wet brine is one cup of kosher salt to one gallon of water. Make sure to fully dissolve the salt in the water before adding the turkey.
HOW TO MAKE A KETO TURKEY BRINE
- First of all, ensure that your turkey is thoroughly defrosted. This can take 2 to 3 days depending upon on the size of the bird.
- Make sure you have space in the refrigerator for the turkey brine container.
- Place all the ingredients in a large pot over high heat and bring to the boil until the salt has dissolved. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Pour the brine into a large container.
- Remove all the giblets and inside packaging.
- Lower the turkey into the container, breast side down ensuring that the turkey is completely immersed in water.
- Place the container into the refrigerator for a minimum of 12 hours or overnight. The time of brining will depend upon the size of the turkey.
Once you have brined the turkey, you are ready to roast! Try our Citrus Roast Turkey with Garlic Herbed butter recipe.
HOW LONG DO YOU BRINE A TURKEY FOR?
When you are brining a turkey, planning is key. You need the turkey defrosted, then allow up to 24 hours to brine the turkey. A general guide to brining a turkey is one hour per pound.
RECIPE TIP
When purchasing a packaged turkey, check that it has not been injected with any sodium or saline solution. If you brined the turkey it would be far too salty. Check the labels.
If you are only cooking turkey breasts, they could be brined too. The recipe will need to be adjusted for their size.
For a crispy turkey skin, after brining, pat the skin dry a couple of hours before cooking and leave it in the refrigerator uncovered. This helps dry the skin for a crispy brown turkey.
MORE LOW CARB HOLIDAY RECIPES
Staying low carb during the holidays can be a challenge but we have plenty of recipes to keep you on track.
Keto Turkey Brine
Ingredients
- 1 gallon water Increase for a larger turkey
- 4 tablespoons rosemary, fresh
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 5 bay leaves
- 1 lemon cut into quarters
- 3 tablespoons orange peel
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 2 star anise
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large pot over high heat.
- Bring to the boil and simmer until the salt dissolves.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Pour the brine mixture into a large container.
- Remove all the giblets and inside packaging from the turkey.
- Lower the turkey into the container, breast side down ensuring that the turkey is completely immersed in water.
- Place the container into the refrigerator for a minimum of 12 hours or overnight. The time of brining will depend upon the size of the turkey.
- Before roasting, take the turkey out of the brine water, rinse well on the inside and outside. Use paper towels to pat it dry.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
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