Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

Ingredients:

• 3 cups apple cider or apple juice
• 2 gallons of water
• The peels of 3 oranges 
• 3 big sprigs of rosemary 
• 5 cloves of garlic 
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 5 whole bay leaves
• 3 tbls mixed peppercorns (or black peppercorns if you can't find the blend)

• 1 ½ cups kosher salt

Instructions: 

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil, and stir to make sure the salt and sugar have dissolved.
2. Turn the heat off and allow it to cool completely. 
3. Put your turkey in a vessel large enough to fit it or use a brining bag and pour the cooled brine in with the turkey. 
4. Refrigerate for 16-24 hours.
5. Remove the turkey from the brine and soak it in fresh, cool water for 10-15 minutes to remove the excess salt. 
6. Take your turkey out of the soaking bath and pat it dry. 
7. Continue to our Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe!