The BEST Turkey Brine Recipe

Name: The BEST Turkey Brine Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large onions, peeled, roughly chopped; 2 large heads garlic, cloves smashed, peeled; 1 cup tightly packed parsley leaves and stems (about 1 oz.); 1/2 cup tightly packed sage leaves (about 1.5 oz.); 1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves (about 1 oz.); ¼ cup dried thyme; 6 dried bay leaves; 1 cup kosher salt; 16 cups of water, divided

Instructions

Prep:15min

Use this brine with a thawed 10-12 lb. whole turkey. Avoid purchasing a turkey labeled "kosher," "enhanced," or "self-basting," which are typically already brined before packaging. Brine the whole turkey for at least 4 hours but as long as 12 hours, keeping the turkey cold at all times.

Updated at: Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:59:56 GMT