Alton Brown’s Foolproof Brined Turkey Breast: The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Alton Brown’s Brined Turkey Breast: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipe

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the main event: the turkey! If you’re looking for a way to make your turkey extra delicious and juicy, look no further than Alton Brown’s brined turkey breast.

In this article, we’ll walk you through Alton Brown’s brined turkey breast recipe, from start to finish. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect turkey breast for your Thanksgiving feast.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

Ingredients	Instructions	Notes
1 cup kosher salt 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup water 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on	In a large container, combine the salt, brown sugar, vinegar, and water. Place the turkey breast in the brine, making sure it is completely submerged. Refrigerate the turkey for at least 24 hours, or up to 48 hours. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.	This brine is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your turkey breast. Be sure to rinse the turkey breast thoroughly before cooking it. The turkey breast can be roasted in a preheated oven or on a grill.

Introduction

Brineing is a popular way to cook turkey breast because it helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful. Alton Brown’s brine recipe is simple to follow and produces a delicious, juicy turkey breast that is perfect for a holiday meal.

Ingredients

* 1 cup kosher salt
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 gallon water
* 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
* 1 tablespoon whole cloves
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Optional:

* 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 1/2 cup orange juice

Steps

1. In a large pot or container, combine the salt, sugar, water, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, rosemary, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
2. Bring the brine to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the brine from heat and let cool completely.
5. Place the turkey breast in a large bowl or container. Pour the brine over the turkey, making sure that it is completely submerged.
6. Cover the bowl or container with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Remove the turkey breast from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
9. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Conclusion

Alton Brown’s brined turkey breast is a delicious and flavorful way to cook turkey breast. The brine helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful, and the resulting turkey breast is perfect for a holiday meal.

Ingredients

For the brine:

* 1 gallon water
* 1 cup kosher salt
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
* 1 tablespoon whole cloves
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

For the turkey breast:

* 1 (10- to 12-pound) turkey breast, thawed
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions

1. To make the brine, combine the water, salt, sugar, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and rosemary in a large container. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.
2. Place the turkey breast in the brine, making sure it is completely submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Rinse the turkey breast and pat it dry.
4. In a large roasting pan, combine the vegetable oil and turkey breast. Roast the turkey breast in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
5. Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Tips

* To make a quicker brine, use 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of sugar for every gallon of water.
* If you don’t have time to brine the turkey breast for 12 to 24 hours, you can brine it for 4 to 6 hours.
* The turkey breast can be roasted in a slow cooker on low for 8 to 10 hours.
* The turkey breast can also be grilled.

Alton Brown’s brined turkey breast is a delicious and flavorful way to cook a turkey. The brine helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful, and the slow roasting process results in a perfectly cooked turkey. This is a great recipe for Thanksgiving or any other special occasion.

Q: What is the difference between brining and marinating turkey breast?

A: Brining and marinating are both methods of flavoring and tenderizing meat, but they have different effects on the final product. Brining involves soaking the meat in a salt-water solution, which helps to draw out moisture and create a more evenly seasoned product. Marinating, on the other hand, involves soaking the meat in a flavorful liquid, such as a vinegar-based brine, which can help to add flavor and tenderize the meat.

Q: What are the benefits of brining turkey breast?

A: Brining turkey breast has several benefits, including:

* Tenderizing the meat: The salt in the brine helps to break down the proteins in the meat, making it more tender.
* Adding flavor: The brine can be flavored with a variety of herbs, spices, and other ingredients, which can add a delicious flavor to the turkey breast.
* Preventing the meat from drying out: The brine helps to keep the meat moist and juicy, even when it is cooked.

Q: How long should I brine a turkey breast?

A: The length of time you brine a turkey breast will depend on the size of the breast. A general rule of thumb is to brine the turkey breast for 1 hour per pound of meat. However, you can brine the turkey breast for longer if you prefer a more flavorful and tender result.

Q: What temperature should I cook a brined turkey breast?

A: The ideal cooking temperature for a brined turkey breast is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked through and safe to eat.

Q: What are some tips for brining turkey breast?

Here are a few tips for brining turkey breast:

* Use a fresh, cold brine: The brine should be made with fresh water and salt. Avoid using tap water, as it may contain impurities that can affect the flavor of the turkey breast.
* Use a large container: The turkey breast should be completely submerged in the brine. If the turkey breast is too large for the container, you can cut it in half.
* Refrigerate the turkey breast during the brining process: The turkey breast should be refrigerated for the entire brining process. This will help to prevent the meat from spoiling.
* Discard the brine after brining the turkey breast: The brine will contain bacteria from the turkey breast, so it is important to discard it after brining.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when brining turkey breast?

Here are a few common mistakes people make when brining turkey breast:

* Not brining the turkey breast long enough: The turkey breast needs to be brined for long enough to allow the salt to penetrate the meat and tenderize it.
* Using too much salt in the brine: Too much salt can make the turkey breast taste salty.
* Not refrigerating the turkey breast during the brining process: The turkey breast should be refrigerated during the entire brining process. This will help to prevent the meat from spoiling.
* Discarding the brine after brining the turkey breast: The brine will contain bacteria from the turkey breast, so it is important to discard it after brining.

Alton Brown’s brined turkey breast is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a holiday meal. The brine helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful, and the simple cooking method ensures that it is cooked to perfection. This recipe is a great option for those who want a flavorful and impressive main dish without a lot of fuss.

Here are the key takeaways from the article:

* Brining a turkey breast is a great way to keep it moist and flavorful.
* The brine is made with a simple mixture of water, salt, sugar, and spices.
* The turkey breast can be brined for anywhere from 4 hours to overnight.
* The turkey breast is roasted in a preheated oven until cooked through.
* The finished turkey breast is juicy and flavorful, and is sure to be a hit at your next holiday meal.