Turkey Brine Recipe

• 12 to 14 lb Turkey, not pre-basted
• 1-1/2 Cups kosher salt
• 1 Cup sugar
• 2 Bay leaves, broken into pieces
• 4 Juniper berries, smashed
• 4 Allspice berries, whole
• 1 Head of garlic, peel and separate cloves
• 1/3 Cup fresh chopped thyme
• Water as required

• In a large bowl combine salt, sugar and 4 quarts of water.
• Keep stirring, till the sugar and salt are dissolved.
• Add the remaining ingredients to it.
• Put the turkey in the stockpot and mix the brining solution with it.
• Add sufficient cold water to this so that the turkey is fully submerged.
• Now cover the container and place it into the refrigerator or another cold storage area.
• Allow the turkey to stand in the solution for 10 to 12 hours.
• After the required soaking time, take out it from the container and thoroughly rinse under the cold water.
• Brining solution should be discarded as it cannot be reused.
• The turkey can be cooked using several cooking methods, such as roasting, grilling and deep-frying.