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Smoked Turkey Brine

Categories Easy Recipes, Main Course, Sauces

This Smoked turkey brine will give your turkey a delicious sweet smokiness with a great undertone of sage. Smoked turkey is such a delicious option for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! This smoked turkey brine lends flavors perfect for smoking a turkey or chicken!

Not only does this brine give the turkey some deep flavor and helps make and keep the turkey moist during the smoking process.

I have converted turkey haters to turkey lovers with this smoked turkey brine and my smoked turkey butter combo. it’s a delicious option!

For the smoked turkey compound butter recipe and tips on smoking your bird click here.

What you need to make smoked turkey brine: (printable recipe card is below)

Makes enough brine for ~14 pound bird in a stock pot or brine bag. If you are using a larger bucket then double the recipe.

  • 1 Gallon Cold Water
  • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 1 Cup Salt
  • 2 Cups Apple Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika or Paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Ground Sage
  • 3 Oranges – juice added then the rinds added

Instructions

  1. In a brine bag, large stock pot or bucket, add all of the ingredients for the brine and stir.
  2. Remove any sauce or organ packets inside of your turkey then place turkey into the mixture, be sure to get brine liquid into the internal cavity of the bird.
  3. Wrap top of pot or bucket with plastic wrap or if using a brine bag, close securely.
  4. Let turkey brine in a refrigerated place overnight or for a few hours before smoking.
  5. When ready to smoke, season with my smoked turkey compound butter and cook on smoker, pellet grill or grill.

Here are a few other recipes you may also enjoy:

Smoked Salmon Southwest Salad
Blackened Smoked Pulled Pork
Smoked Brisket

Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Smoked Turkey Brine

Brine perfect for smoking a turkey or chicken.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time8 hours 5 minutes
Course: Dinner, turkey
Cuisine: Dinner, Turkey
Keyword: Chicken, Easy Recipes, Thanksgiving, Turkey
Servings: 1 regular turkey

Ingredients

  • 1 Gallon water
  • 2 Cups brown sugar
  • 1 Cup Salt
  • 2 Cups Apple Juice
  • 2 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Ground Sage
  • 3 Oranges juice added then the rinds. 

Instructions

  • In a brine bag, large stock pot or bucket, add all of the ingredients for the brine and stir.
  • Remove any sauce or organ packets inside of your turkey then place turkey into the mixture, be sure to get brine liquid into the internal cavity of the bird.
  • Wrap top of pot or bucket with plastic wrap or if using a brine bag, close securely.
  • Let turkey brine in a refrigerated place overnight or for a few hours before smoking.
  • When ready to smoke, season with my smoked turkey compound butter and cook on smoker, pellet grill or grill.