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    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving » Dry Turkey Brine Recipe

    Dry Turkey Brine Recipe

    Published: Aug 1, 2023 Modified: Sep 20, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    Easily dry brine a turkey using this Dry Turkey Brine recipe! Dry brining a turkey elevates the flavor of the meat and crisps the skin to perfection. This is the perfect dry brine for smoking a turkey, roasting, or any cooking method you like! Ready in minutes following simple steps.

    slices of dry brined turkey up close
    Jump to:
    • Dry Turkey Brine
    • Dry Brine Turkey Recipe Ingredients
    • Brine Recipe Instructions
    • Turkey Brine Recipe for Smoking Tips
    • Dry Turkey Brine Recipe FAQs
    • Turkey Brine Recipe Variations
    • Where to Use Turkey Dry Brine
    • Turkey Seasonings
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Dry Turkey Brine

    Dry brining a turkey is a great way to bring out the best flavors of the meat, and is much easier than a regular brine as it doesn’t use any liquid. All you need is salt, pepper, and dried minced garlic!

    I love pairing this dry brine for turkey with smoked turkey, roasted turkey, and grilled turkey… you name it! It’s easy to make and use – just follow my simple steps for how to dry brine turkey, and when it’s time to cook, you’ll have the perfect holiday dinner.

    If you’re planning on smoking a turkey this year, you need to try this dry brine recipe. Trust me!

    whole smoked turkey on a tray with citrus

    Dry Brine Turkey Recipe Ingredients

    • Kosher Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Dried minced garlic
    ingredients for turkey dry brine in bowls next to butter, turkey, and cooking spray

    Brine Recipe Instructions

    1. Pat turkey dry and prepare it as you usually would, removing any unnecessary parts such as the neck, giblets, etc, and place it on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. For this recipe, I’m spatchcocking a turkey.
      whole raw turkey
    2. Spray the turkey all over with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix dried minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
      dry brine for turkey in a white bowl
    3. Coat the turkey all over with the dry brine seasoning. Make sure to coat all parts of the turkey, including under the skin where possible.
      adding dry brine to turkey from small bowl
    4. Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
      dry brined turkey ready to cook
    5. Cook turkey according to your favorite method for cooking turkey, and enjoy!
      whole turkey leg and breast on green plate, seasoned with dry brine

    Turkey Brine Recipe for Smoking Tips

    • If you have the time, let the turkey dry brine for 48 hours for an even deeper flavor profile.
    • I like to always rub the cavity of the turkey.
    • You can use other seasonings in this dry brine turkey recipe if you like, such as poultry seasoning. However, you cannot leave out the salt – this is the most essential part of the dry brine.
    • Dry brining works for every method of cooking turkey. This makes a great turkey brine for smoking!
    • See my guide on Seasoning with Salt for tips on what types of salt to use and when!
    • Always use a meat thermometer to make sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 350°F. I like to refer to my Turkey Temperature Chart for perfectly juicy turkey.
    • If you are defrosting your turkey, please refer to my step-by-step guide to defrosting turkeys perfectly.
    • Don’t forget the turkey gravy! It’s perfect to keep the turkey moist.
    slices of turkey using dry brine on a green plate

    Dry Turkey Brine Recipe FAQs

    Do you rinse a dry-brined turkey?

    You should not rinse a turkey after dry brining. You should never rinse the turkey, not before or after brining. Rinsing a turkey will not wash away bacteria and can actually transfer it to other surfaces, so don’t rinse your turkey. Source: USDA

    How long should you dry brine turkey?

    You can dry brine turkey anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours. Dry brine at least 24 hours for the best flavor.

    Is wet or dry brining turkey better?

    Dry brining a turkey imparts more flavor to the meat than a wet brine. Although a wet brine might seem to make the turkey juicier, that juice won’t have the same flavor as dry brining would give the turkey. Basically, dry brining turkey will give you a better-tasting bird.

    Turkey Brine Recipe Variations

    You can always have fun with fresh herbs and spices when making a brine. Use your favorite flavors and have fun.

    • Thyme
    • Lemon Zest
    • Citrus Zest
    • Rosemary

    Where to Use Turkey Dry Brine

    • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    • Thanksgiving Turkey
    • Grilled Turkey
    • Deep Fried Turkey
    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    • Boneless Turkey Breast
    • Sous Vide Turkey

    Follow my Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Tips for a stress-free meal.

    Turkey Seasonings

    • Butter Injection for Turkey
    • Garlic Butter Recipe
    • Turkey Rub
    • Compound Butter for Turkey

    📋 Recipe

    dry brined turkey on green plate with lemon slice

    Dry Turkey Brine

    Isabel Laessig
    Easily dry brine a turkey using this Dry Turkey Brine recipe! Dry brining a turkey elevates the flavor of the meat and crisps the skin to perfection.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course seasoning rub
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 enough for 1 whole turkey
    Calories 344 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Small bowl for mixing seasoning

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ Cup Salt
    • ¼ Cup Pepper
    • ¼ Cup Dried Minced Garlic
    • Butter Flavored Nonstick Cooking Spray
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Pat turkey dry and prepare it as you usually would, removing any unnecessary parts such as the neck, giblets, etc. For this recipe, I’m spatchcocking a turkey.
      whole raw turkey
    • Spray the turkey all over with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix dried minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
      ½ Cup Salt, ¼ Cup Pepper, ¼ Cup Dried Minced Garlic, Butter Flavored Nonstick Cooking Spray
      dry brine for turkey in a white bowl
    • Coat the turkey all over with the dry brine seasoning. Make sure to coat all parts of the turkey, including under the skin where possible.
      adding dry brine to turkey from small bowl
    • Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
      dry brined turkey ready to cook
    • Cook turkey according to your favorite method for cooking turkey, and enjoy!
      slices of turkey using dry brine on a green plate

    Notes

    • If you have the time, let the turkey dry brine for 48 hours for an even deeper flavor profile.
    • You can use other seasonings in this dry brine turkey recipe if you like, such as a poultry seasoning. However, you cannot leave out the salt – this is the most essential part of the dry brine.
    • Dry brining works for every method of cooking turkey. This makes a great turkey brine for smoking!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1enough for 1 whole turkeyCalories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 56634mgPotassium: 1503mgFiber: 20gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 324IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 344mgIron: 10mg
    Keyword brine recipe, dry brine turkey recipe, dry turkey brine, dry turkey brine recipe
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

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