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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.
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Dry Brine Turkey
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, 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!
Turkey Dry Brine Ingredients
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dried minced garlic
Dry Brine Turkey 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.
- Spray the turkey all over with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix dried minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- 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.
- Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
- Cook turkey according to your favorite method for cooking turkey, and enjoy!
Dry Brine Turkey Recipe Tips
- 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!
Dry Brine for Turkey Recipe FAQs
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
You can dry brine turkey anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours. Dry brine at least 24 hours for best flavor.
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.
Where to Use Turkey Dry Brine
- Spatchcock Turkey
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Thanksgiving Turkey
- How to Smoke a Turkey
- Grilled Turkey
- Deep Fried Turkey
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Boneless Turkey Breast
- Sous Vide Turkey
- Smoke a Turkey
Try this dry brine for turkey with one of my best turkey recipes.
Turkey Seasonings
Check out my Turkey Temperature Chart and How Long to Thaw a Turkey!
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📋 Recipe
Dry Turkey Brine
Equipment
- 1 Small bowl for mixing seasoning
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Salt
- ¼ Cup Pepper
- ¼ Cup Dried Minced Garlic
- Butter Flavored Nonstick Cooking Spray
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.
- 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
- 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.
- Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
- Cook turkey according to your favorite method for cooking turkey, and enjoy!
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!
Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe!