Never Fail Basic Brining Recipe
Transform your cooking with the "Never Fail Basic Brining Recipe," a simple yet foolproof method to achieve juicy, flavorful meats every time. This versatile brine combines the perfect balance of kosher salt, brown sugar, and aromatic additions like garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves to deeply season your protein. Whether you're preparing poultry, pork, or even holiday turkey, this customizable brine can incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor. The recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare and adjusts easily for various meat cuts and serving sizes. Ideal for beginner and seasoned cooks alike, this brining technique ensures moist, tender results that elevate any dish. Perfect for your next roast, barbecue, or special meal, this no-fail brine is the secret weapon your kitchen needs!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 cups Water
- 1 cup Kosher salt
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Black peppercorns
- 2 whole Bay leaves
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 sprigs Optional: Fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
Instructions
In a large pot, combine 8 cups of water, kosher salt, and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. This should take about 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and add the black peppercorns, bay leaves, crushed garlic cloves, and any optional fresh herbs. Allow the brine to cool to room temperature.
Once the brine is at room temperature, stir in the remaining 8 cups of cold water to cool it down further. Alternatively, you can add ice cubes instead of cold water to speed up the cooling process.
Place your protein (poultry, pork, etc.) in a large, resealable plastic bag or non-reactive container. Pour the brine over the protein, ensuring it is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate.
For chicken pieces, brine for 1 to 2 hours. For a whole chicken, brine for 8 to 12 hours. For pork chops or smaller cuts, brine for 2 to 4 hours. Larger cuts like pork loin or turkey can be brined for 12 to 24 hours.
Once brining time is complete, remove the protein from the brine and rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat dry with paper towels before cooking.
Cook your protein as desired and enjoy moist, flavorful results every time!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
314 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.4 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 107521 mg | 4675% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.5 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 70.3 g | ||
| Protein | 1.5 g | 3% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 351 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 254 mg | 5% | |
*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.
