What Kind of Turkey Can be Brined?
When brining your own turkey, avoid turkeys that are labeled self basting or flavor injected. Although you can brine a pre-brined or flavored turkey, you’re really doubling up on the pre-cooking process. You end up with a combination of flavors rather than the pure taste of your personal brine and then your also have those additives and preservatives. The best turkeys for home brining are natural turkeys which have not been processed beyond the very basics. Such turkeys are generally labeled natural or have notes on the label like “no additives” or “minimally processed.” When in doubt, check with the meat department. The meat guys and girls really don’t mind. In fact, they seem pleased when you ask for input on their area of expertise. Time Involved in Brining a Turkey Don’t roll out of bed on a holiday morning and expect to brine and bake a turkey. The brining process does take some time, but it’s well worth the extra hours to brine. Here is a rough break down of the steps involved to
