Tea Brined Turkey Recipe

Name: Tea Brined Turkey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 gallon water; 5 - 6 family sized tea bags; 1/2 cup honey; 1/2 cups brown sugar; 1 cup kosher salt; 1 onion, thinly sliced; 2 lemons, thinly sliced; 1 - 2 navel oranges, thinly sliced; 1 heaping Tbsp black peppercorns; 1/2 or 1 t. cayenne; 1- 2 serrano or jalapeno pepper(s), thinly sliced; 2 Bay leaves; 2 T. fresh thyme, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 12 - 15 cups of ice; 12 - 14 pound turkey; Brining bag (A large oven roasting bag works well, and this is what I typically use.); For baking:; Kitchen twine; Olive oil; Cracked black pepper

Servings: persons

1 gallon water
5 - 6 family sized tea bags
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup kosher salt
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced
1 - 2 navel oranges, thinly sliced
1 heaping Tbsp black peppercorns
1/2 or 1 t. cayenne
1- 2 serrano or jalapeno pepper(s), thinly sliced
2 Bay leaves
2 T. fresh thyme, chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
12 - 15 cups of ice
12 - 14 pound turkey
Brining bag (A large oven roasting bag works well, and this is what I typically use.)
For baking:
Kitchen twine
Olive oil
Cracked black pepper

1
Bring the water to boil in a large pot and add the tea bags.
2
Turn off the heat and let steep 10 minutes.
3
Add the salt, honey and sugar, stirring until dissolved.
4
Add onion, lemon, orange and pepper slices, peppercorns, bay leaves and garlic and let cool completely and then refrigerate until very cold.
5
Place the turkey in the brining bag, pour the brine over it, seal it off well. You can either place in a large pot and refrigerate or use a small cooler and pack with ice.
6
Brine for at least 18 hours, up to 36. Massage the turkey through the bag ~8 - 10 hours.
7
Remove from the brine, rinse well, and pat dry. (optional: remove the aromatics from the brine, rinse and lightly place in cavity -- do not stuff!)
8
Preheat oven to 450.
9
Tie the legs together, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with black pepper.
10
Roast 20- 30 minutes at high heat* and then reduce the temp to 325 - 350F, roasting for ~2 - 3 hours, until a thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 160F. (About 20 minutes per pound at 350F, extend the time for a lower temp). Let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
11
*Keep an eye on your turkey during the initial high heat phase -- the sugar in the brine means that the turkey will brown quickly.
12
Deglaze pan with a splash of dry vermouth, add stock. Thicken as needed for gravy.

1014

kcal

Calories

Fat

110

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave for a slightly different but equally rich sweetness.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 21 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 gallon water, 5 - 6 family sized tea bags, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cups brown sugar, and more.

Yes, Tea Brined Turkey falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Tea Brined Turkey

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions