The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (2024)

You might be wondering if you need to brine your Thanksgiving turkey. I’m here to tell you that, yes, yes you do. You absolutely need to brine your turkey before you put that bird in the oven. You do not want a dry, bland tasting turkey after you worked so hard to make it taste great. Rather, you want people to ooh and ahh over how moist and full of flavor the meat is. Here is my tried and true easy Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly. Yep, this Keto Friendly Turkey Brine doesn’t use any sugar, just Apple Cider Vinegar and lemons and oranges!

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (1)

Disclosure: Links within this post may contain affiliate links that I earn commissions from. Example, if you click on an ingredient link and purchase anything from that site, I make a small commission, no matter what you purchase, at no cost to you. This is how I pay for this blog and make a living as a writer. Thank you for supporting me!

First Published: 11/23/2014 Updated 10/23/2018

Table of Contents

What exactly is brining you may ask?

The process of brining means soaking meat in a solution of water and salt before cooking. Yes – it really is that simple. As it soaks, the meat absorbs the brine, then retains it during cooking. Follow this easy turkey brining recipe for a moist, delicious turkey this Thanksgiving! You might also like My Famous Drunken Turkey Recipewhere both you and the turkey get to drink a bit of wine while cooking. 😉

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (2)

I’m often asked if you should defrost your turkey first or if you can defrost it in the brine. Unless you bring home a fresh turkey from a local farm or farmer’s market, more than likely, it will be frozen. You can, and should, defrost your turkey in the brine. If you do, add 12-24 hours to the brining time. You can leave the turkey in the brine for 24-72 hours, the magic number I’ve found is 36 hours.

WeightWaterSaltTime
Turkey 12-17 lbs2 gallons1 cup table salt or
1.5 cups Kosher salt
12-24 hours
Turkey 18-24 lbs3 gallons1.5 cups table salt or
2.25 cups Kosher salt
12-24 hours

*Important to remember, cup for cup, table salt is stronger than Kosher salt. If you use Kosher salt (which is recommended over table salt) in a brine, multiply the amount of salt called for by 1.5 times. The best tasting salt for a brine, in my opinion, is Pink Himalayan Salt.

Why It’s Keto Friendly

Most brining recipes call for sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or other sweeteners. This recipe uses citrus and Apple Cider Vinegar instead making it a keto friendly turkey brine. The citrus is added to this brine as it not only adds a layer of flavor, but it also tenderizes the meat. The mild acid of the lemon carries the citrus flavors deep into the meat and the Apple Cider Vinegar sets a really great base for the drunken turkey recipe I shared down below.

This Cider & Citrus Brine + My Drunken Turkey Recipe = Most Amazing Turkey EVER

Ingredients

1 Tbsp black peppercorns
2 Bay leaves
2 cups organicchicken stock, optional
1 onion, quartered
4 garlic gloves
2 Rosemary twigs, slightly crushed to release the oils from the rosemary
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cloves
1lemon, quartered
1 orange, quartered
1.5 cupsPink Himalayan Salt
4 cupsApple Cider Vinegar

Directions

Heat one gallon of water, pour in all of the ingredients including the salt, and stir thoroughly until the ingredients are completely dissolved. Refrigerate, or leave outside for 20 minutes if you live in a cold climate or in Alaska like me, until the brine has cooled down. In the largest stock pot that you have or a clean ice chest, place your turkey directly in the brine or you can put your turkey in a large plastic bag and then place it into the pot or cooler.

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (3)

Then add in the brine mixture. Ensure that the entire turkey is submerged for the full brining period. Refrigerate the bird fora minimum of 8-12 hours and no longer than 72. The sweet spot is around 24-36 hours. Last year, I left it in there for 48 hours and it was superb. I also typically thaw out the turkey in the brine – brilliant idea as I have a small kitchen and this saves on space!

Once the turkey has brined overnight, remove it from the brine solution, rinse it off, and pat it dry. You are now ready to prep your turkey for the oven. Luckily, I have My Famous Drunken Turkey Recipe for you. It is simply the best turkey recipe out there. I might be biased, but the amount of people that ask me to make this every year is quite high!

Want an Easy-to-Print Recipe Card for this Easy Turkey Brining Recipe? Here you go!

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (5)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 hours

Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat one gallon of water with the salt, onion, and garlic then stir thoroughly until the salt is completely dissolved.
  2. Remove from heat and add in the remaining ingredients.
  3. Refrigerate or leave outside for 20 minutes if you live in a cold climate or Alaska like me, until the brine is cold.
  4. In the largest stock pot that you have or a clean ice chest, add your turkey directly in or you can put your turkey in a large plastic bag and then place it into the pot or cooler.
  5. Then add in the brine mixture. Ensure that the entire turkey is submerged for the full brining period.
  6. Refrigerate the bird fora minimum of 8-12 hours and no longer than 72. The sweet spot is around 24 hours. Last year, I left it in there for 48 hours and it was superb.
  7. I also typically thaw out the turkey in the brine - brilliant idea as I have a small kitchen and this saves on space!
  8. Once the turkey has brined overnight, remove it from the brine solution, rinse it off, and pat it dry.
  9. You are now ready to prep your turkey for the oven. Luckily, I have My Famous Drunken Turkey Recipe for you. It is simply the best turkey recipe out there. I might be biased, but the amount of people that ask me to make this every year is quite high!

Notes

You can now buy Organic Turkey on Amazon. Who knew?

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.



Pin it for Later – There’s a few pins to choose from.

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (10)

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (11)

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (12)

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (13)

You can now buy Organic Turkey on Amazon. Who knew?

I also useThrive Marketplace when I’m cooking in the Lower 48 as my Go To Place for organic, sustainable food that won’t break the bank! Unfortunately, the do not ship to Alaska. Sad, really.

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (14)

Other Posts You May Enjoy

The Best Cider & Citrus Turkey Brine Recipe that is Keto Friendly (2024)

FAQs

Can I use apple cider vinegar in my brine? ›

Citrus Apple Cider Vinegar Brine will make your turkey moist and full of flavor! This turkey brine is easy to make and worth the extra step to make a delicious turkey for Thanksgiving! Brine turkey for 8-12 hours. Gluten free and low-carb.

Does vinegar tenderize turkey? ›

This recipe, which she taught him, uses cider vinegar as the brine, which tenderizes it and yields flavorful drippings perfect for pan jus.

Can you use monk fruit for brine? ›

The flavors of a dry brine are right in your pantry. We've put together some great seasonings and of course switched out the sugar for Monkfruit Sweetener.

Is it OK to brine and inject a turkey? ›

However, injecting a turkey takes less time and effort to fill a turkey with flavor. You can enjoy the best of both worlds by using a dry brine to flavor the exterior of your turkey before using an injection to send seasonings deep into the meat.

What happens when you soak meat in apple cider vinegar? ›

Today, marinades are generally used to bring out the flavor of the meat. An ideal ingredient for this purpose (among many other uses!) is apple cider vinegar. As a powerful bactericide, it helps eliminate any impurities in the meat.

What happens when you soak in apple cider vinegar? ›

ACV baths may be just what you need to soothe and control inflammation. The acetic acid in ACV is said to have anti-inflammatory traits, which could lessen sunburn swelling and redness. An ACV bath may help restore your skin's pH balance, providing a shield against further irritation.

Can turkeys drink apple cider vinegar? ›

Feeding, Watering & Care

Be sure that the waterers are always full! Dehydration is a major stressor. During the heat of the summer, you might consider adding one tablespoon raw organic apple cider vinegar or trace mineral salt to each gallon of water. This helps improve hydration and digestion as well.

What vinegar is best for soaking meat? ›

Balsamic vinegar is a good marinade for red meats because it helps to tenderize them. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down some of the protein and fat in the beef, which makes it softer. The balsamic vinegar also adds a sweet flavor while tenderizing, without having to add any sugar.

How much apple cider vinegar to tenderize meat? ›

An apple cider vinegar marinade will not only make the meat tender but will also kill all the bacteria on it. Mix ½ cup vinegar, 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp chilli flakes or chilli powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper powder, 1 tbsp parsley or any other herb and 1 tbsp soy sauce.

What is the best sugar for brine? ›

In place of regular sugar I used light brown sugar (what can I say, I like molasses). The family loved this. I think this is going to be my new go-to. This is enough brine for 8 pounds of whole chicken or bone-in chicken pieces and up to 10 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts.

Should I put sugar in my brine? ›

Sugar: This is an optional ingredient and is typically used to balance the saltiness of a brine. Use about 2 tablespoons per quart of liquid. You can decrease that amount if desired, but I wouldn't recommend using any more or it could make the final cooked protein burn easier and taste too sweet.

Is monk fruit or stevia healthier? ›

When it comes to choosing between Monk Fruit sweetener and Stevia sweetener, both offer viable alternatives to sugar. However, Monk Fruit emerges as the better and healthier choice due to its pleasant flavour, absence of bitter aftertaste, zero glycemic index, and potential antioxidant benefits.

Is it better to marinate or brine a turkey? ›

Marinating typically only reaches into the first quarter inch of the meat. During brining, the turkey absorbs extra moisture, which helps it stay juicy. The salt breaks down some of the turkey's proteins, making it more tender and adds flavor.

Is it better to wet brine or dry brine a turkey? ›

Turkeys that have been wet brined often yield slightly less brown skin due to more water in the skin. Dry brines work by drawing out moisture in the turkey at the beginning of the brining process, but then the moisture will redistribute with the infused flavors towards the end of the process and during cooking.

Does brine need to be cold before adding turkey? ›

If your brine recipe calls for heating the mixture, be sure to cool it to room temperature before using it. Then place the turkey in the brine and place in the refrigerator. Don't leave the turkey sitting out at room temperature while brining.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for pickling? ›

Apple cider vinegar made from fermented apple juice is a good choice for many pickles. It has a mellow, fruity flavor that blends well with spices. But it will darken most vegetables and fruits. Cider vinegar may be substituted for white vinegar of the same acidity.

Can you use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for marinade? ›

Apple cider vinegar makes a great 1:1 substitution for white wine vinegar in any dish that might benefit from sour apple notes. Try it in German potato salad or warm farro salad, or use it in the pickling liquid for giardiniera or the marinade for sheet pan honey-Dijon chicken and vegetables.

Can we use apple cider vinegar for fish pickles? ›

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile and popular choice for pickling in India.

Can you soak produce in apple cider vinegar? ›

Add apple cider vinegar to the water. Leave the produce immersed in the mix for about 15 minutes. Turn the produce every few minutes to make sure that you get all the sides clean. You can cover the mixing bowl with a plate to further increase the cleansing effect.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6093

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.