BOURBON TURKEY BRINE RECIPES

Steps:

• Add sugar & salt to 1.5 cup of bourbon take HALF of the herbs,1 apple, 1 orange and orange rind, peppercorns,1 garlic head, and 1 onion in saucepan bring to a low boil dissolving the sugar & salt. Remove from heat.
• Take a potato masher and gently press down the ingredients in the saucepan so all the flavors can release into the bourbon. Add 1 cup of ice to cool down.
• Line large bucket or pot with brining bag add the OTHER HALF of the herbs, fruit, peppercorns, orange rind, garlic & onion.
• Place turkey in bag, add 1 cup of bourbon to the inside cavity of turkey, 7 cups of cold water, then add bourbon & ice mixture finish with 8 more cups of bourbon.
• Stir & submerge turkey in bourbon brine make sure no air is in brining bag. Take the flavor injector, and inject the turkey in several different areas with the brining solution.
• Refrigerate & rotate every 12 hours.
• Brine for 48 hours, bring to room temperature for 45 minutes. Pat dry and cook. (SEE BOURBON DRUNKEN UPSIDE-DOWN TURKEY RECIPE).

Steps:

• For brine, in 2-quart saucepan, heat 3 cups of the water, 3/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup maple syrup, 3/4 cup bourbon, the orange rind, thyme and bay leaves to simmering over medium heat. Cook and stir until salt is dissolved, about 6 minutes. Pour into large clean bucket or stockpot (noncorrosive), and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Add remaining 13 cups cold water.
• Add turkey to brine mixture. If brine does not cover turkey, add more water. Cover and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours, turning once.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Remove bird from brine, and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard brine.
• Place bird, breast side up, on roasting rack inside large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place carrots, onion and orange inside turkey’s cavity. Tuck wings underneath bird, and coat skin liberally with melted butter.
• Roast turkey 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make glaze by combining orange juice, 1/2 cup maple syrup, the mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, beating with whisk. Heat to simmering; cook 10 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced by about one-third. Remove from heat; stir in bourbon. Set aside.
• In last 30 minutes of roasting, brush turkey with half of the glaze; roast about 15 minutes. Brush turkey with remaining glaze; roast about 15 minutes longer or until skin is deep mahogany, instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh reads 165°F, and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. Let turkey rest, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes before carving.