Master Brine Recipe for Meats
Achieve perfectly tender and flavorful meats every time with this Master Brine Recipe for Meats, your secret weapon for juicy, well-seasoned dishes. This versatile brine combines kosher salt and brown sugar for balanced seasoning, while whole black peppercorns, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and smashed garlic infuse layers of aromatic flavor. Optional lemon slices add a bright, citrusy twist to enhance poultry, pork, or beef. Designed for ease, this recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep and cook time, allowing you to maximize flavor with minimal effort. Whether you're preparing a holiday turkey, a succulent pork loin, or a juicy steak, this brine ensures that every bite is moist and unforgettable. Perfect for home cooks seeking foolproof methods for marinating meats, this recipe is a must-try for all your roasting, grilling, and smoking adventures.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 cups Water
- 1 cup Kosher salt
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Whole black peppercorns
- 5 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 leaves Bay leaves
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 lemon Optional: Lemon slices
Instructions
In a large stockpot, combine the water, kosher salt, and brown sugar.
Place the pot over medium heat and stir the mixture until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. This should take about 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and add the black peppercorns, fresh thyme, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and optional lemon slices.
Allow the brine to cool to room temperature. To speed this up, you can partially fill a large bowl with ice and water, then place the pot in the bowl to chill quickly.
Once the brine has cooled, transfer it to a container large enough to hold both the brine and the meat you plan to soak.
Submerge your meat completely in the brine and refrigerate. Brine poultry for 12 to 24 hours, pork for 12 to 48 hours, and beef for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the cut and size.
Before cooking, remove the meat from the brine and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
Proceed with your preferred cooking method, and enjoy moist, flavorful results every time!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
346 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.9 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 107527 mg | 4675% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 90.3 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.6 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 73.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.2 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 380 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 385 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
