do you rub a turkey after brining

Using a Turkey Rub

A poultry rub can be a combination of wet and dry ingredients (such as oil and herbs) or just a mixture of dry powdered spices. These are combined and rubbed on top of and under the skin (most often when using a wet/dry mixture) before roasting. The flavors infuse the meat and create a beautiful golden color on the skin. If using this along with a brine, you need to eliminate the salt from the rub recipe. Since most rub recipes contain salt, it is crucial that you cut out this ingredient.

Using a Turkey Brine

A brine is a mixture of salt and water and brining a turkey in this solution will ensure a moist bird. You can also add herbs and spices to the brine, resulting in a subtle flavor once it is roasted. If you use a simple brine of water and salt, the only thing you need to keep in mind later on when using another marinade method is the amount of salt the turkey has been soaking in. If you add aromatics to the brine, remember these flavors will affect the turkeys overall taste so choose a rub or injection with similar ingredients.

While properly brining a turkey wont make it too salty, it does add salt to the meat. If you then add a salty rub or injection marinade you can end up with a turkey too salty to eat. For this reason, if you are brining your bird, make sure you rinse it thoroughly after it comes out of the brine.

How to Brine a Turkey

How do you brine a Turkey?

Let’s get started! Dissolve salt in water and brine turkey for 24 hours. Add brown sugar to brine to give turkey a sweet flavor. Add garlic powder to brine to give turkey a garlicky flavor. Add onion powder to brine to give turkey a oniony flavor.

Does brining a turkey make it salty?

If you add aromatics to the brine, remember these flavors will affect the turkey’s overall taste so choose a rub or injection with similar ingredients. While properly brining a turkey won’t make it too salty, it does add salt to the meat. If you then add a salty rub or injection marinade you can end up with a turkey too salty to eat.

Can You brine a raw turkey?

Then, you need to cool the brine to room temperature before using it, since pouring hot or warm brine over a raw turkey can cause bacteria growth. When you begin the brining process, set a timer or reminder to remove the turkey from the salt solution. Brining for too long can result in meat that tastes overly-salty and has a spongy texture.

What is a dry brine on a Turkey?

Rather than submerging the turkey in a liquid, a dry brine is basically a dry rub. In this method, a blend of salt and seasonings are rubbed onto and under the skin of the turkey. Due to the close contact between the spices and meat, this technique imparts a direct and richer flavor into the coating.