Turkey questions

[legend_018]

Since I"m still thinking about how I"m going to do my turkey, curiousity got me and I saw the Alton Brown videos after reading the post regarding Alton Brown. These are pretty general questions so I figured it would be best to start a new post.

1. where do you get a big bucket like that if you brine?
2. he said brine 6-8 hours. Is it going to hurt to brine it longer? I'd like to put it in the brine before I go to bed Wednesday night. Dinner probably won't be until 2pm ish Thursday.
3. I'm thinking about not trussing though. Any input on not doing that?

Thanks!!!

[Dawgluver]

I can only answer the first question. We have a neighborhood pool, and I save the big plastic buckets they sell the chlorine tabs in. Otherwise, the pool folks throw them away. Rinse them very, very, very well. Spray with bleach solution. Rinse again. Then line your bucket with a plastic garbage bag or huge ziplock. Brine away.

[no mayonnaise]

1. Home Depot/Lowe's sells empty buckets.
2. It may or may not hurt, depending on the salt content. As a general rule, you brine for less time with more salt in the water and less time with less salt. If you brine longer with more salt, the meat becomes salty. Likewise, if you're in a time pinch you can add more salt and reduce he brining time. I've never used Alton Brown's recipe for brining turkey but you can always cut the salt to brine for longer. Worst-case scenario it's slightly underseasoned which is way better than overseasoned. If you're making gravy, you can compensate for the lack of salt in the turkey if need be.
3. Trussing will help it cook more evenly and you will have a better turkey. It's only the slightest inconvenience to truss the bird properly versus the benefit it gives.

Hope this helps.

[Andy M.]

1. Another vote for home depot for 5 gallon buckets with lids.

2. I always put the turkey in the brine Wednesday night before I go to bed and cook it mid-day Thursday. Never had a problem.

3. I don't truss. the turkey still cooks great.

You may be looking at a different recipe. This is the recipe for Alton Brown's Good Eats Roast Turkey. Good Eats Roast Turkey Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network It's the one everyone raves about.

It doesn't call for trussing the turkey and says to put the turkey into the brine the night before or early on the day of cooking and brine for 8-16 hours.

[jennyema]

What Andy said.


I brine mine in a big cooler in a ginormous ziplock.

[legend_018]

I'll assume that when you place the turkey into the brine the night before - the turkey should already be defrosted and not frozen right? Also, does it matter what kind of bird to buy "fresh vs. frozen" if using the Alton Brown brining method or any brining method. I think that will do it. I'm almost ready to tackle the turkey project. ; )

[Merinda]

Yes it needs to be completely thawed with innards removed.

Has anyone tried brining bags? I've seen them all over this year.

[Katie H]

I use our big tall, round orange drink cooler. The kind you see football players pour Gatorade over their coach after a winning game.

It has a nice carrying handle on it and, since it's cylindrical, the turkey is nestled nicely in the brine. Plus, when I'm ready to get rid of the brine, I just put the cooler near the edge of the sink and push the spigot to let it run out. Or, at least enough for me to safely pour the rest into the sink without making a mess.

And, yes, the turkey should be thawed if you have purchased a frozen one. I've brined fresh and frozen turkeys and haven't discerned any difference between them. They've both been wonderful.

[Al Pine]

Originally Posted by Dawgluver

I save the big plastic buckets they sell the chlorine tabs in.

Originally Posted by no mayonnaise

1. Home Depot/Lowe's sells empty buckets.

Originally Posted by Andy M.

1. Another vote for home depot for 5 gallon buckets with lids.

PLEASE do Not do this!

These are not Food Grade plastic buckets and will leach
toxic chemicals into the Turkey.
I would hope that you and your family's health is worth more to
you than the $5 or so that these dangerous buckets cost.

Check with the Bakery Dept. at some grocery stores. They
should have some buckets around that had frosting or other types
of food in them and are safe to use. Often they are FREE or only
a dollar or two. Also you can buy quality food grade buckets
at any "Home Brew" type place where people can buy equipment
for making Beer & Wine at home.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by Al Pine

PLEASE do Not do this!

These are not Food Grade plastic buckets and will leach
toxic chemicals into the Turkey.
I would hope that you and your family's health is worth more to
you than the $5 or so that these dangerous buckets cost.

Check with the Bakery Dept. at some grocery stores. They
should have some buckets around that had frosting or other types
of food in them and are safe to use. Often they are FREE or only
a dollar or two. Also you can buy quality food grade buckets
at any "Home Brew" type place where people can buy equipment
for making Beer & Wine at home.

I'm thinking that the garbage bag to line the bucket isn't such a hot idea either. I am always careful that the plastic/plastic bags that my food touches is food grade.