Dry Brine

Dry Brine is here to make your Thanksgiving so much more simple! Rub your turkey with this mixture of inexpensive ingredients and enjoy how juicy and tender the meat becomes all while the skin browns and crisps up beautifully. It’s so simple and so effective every single time!

Dry Brine

You’ve been making your turkey wrong this whole time. Okay, well, maybe not entirely wrong – but now that I have you attention, let me introduce you to the wonders of dry brine! It’s essentially just powdered buttermilk that’s dressed up with two key ingredients, salt and brown sugar. There’s also a medley of aromatic herbs and spices in there like dry rosemary, garlic powder and more to create the very best flavor.

I’ve included instructions for how to make dry brine (just tossing it all together) and how to use dry brine on a turkey (which also couldn’t be easier). Seriously, this stuff has saved Thanksgiving for me! No more stressing over the bird, and no more pouring gravy all over dry turkey meat in an attempt to add moisture. Dry brine solves all the most common turkey problems!

When I use buttermilk dry brine on my Thanksgiving turkey, it makes the skin turn a delicious golden brown color and makes it SO crispy. The meat itself is juicy and wonderfully tender. You’ll barely even need gravy, so save it for your mashed potatoes! Once you master the dry brining technique, you may never return to traditional brining again.

How to Make Dry Brine

Whisk, serve, or store for later:

1. Whisk. Measure each ingredient with care. Whisk it all together until combined.
2. Enjoy! Use your dry brine immediately or store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight for up to 6 months. It’s great for making ahead of time!

How to Use Dry Brine

Turkey day just got so much easier. Here’s how to use your dry brine:

1. Pat it dry. When you’re ready to use your turkey (or other meat), gently pat it dry with a paper towel. Place the turkey on a baking sheet.
2. Brine it. Sprinkle your homemade dry brine all over the turkey. Lightly press the brine into the skin to make sure it’s really on there.
3. Chill. Transfer the turkey, uncovered, to your fridge. Let it chill anywhere between 8-24 hours.
4. Prepare for roasting. Preheat the oven to 500°F. While that’s heating up, move the turkey to a clean roasting pan and get rid of any juices that gathered on the original pan. Stuff the turkey with aromatics and use kitchen twine to truss the legs together.
5. Roast. Roast the turkey for 30 minutes at 500°F. Then, reduce the heat to 425°F. Roast the turkey at this temperature until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
6. Rest. Always let your turkey rest for 45 minutes before you carve it. This keeps it nice and juicy!

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What’s in dry brine?

Here’s what you’ll use to make the best dry brine:

• Powdered Buttermilk – You should be able to find this in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.
• Salt – Try to use kosher salt, not iodized!
• Brown Sugar – This adds depth and a touch of sweetness to the dry brine.
• Spices – A medley of freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika create the best flavor. It’s a bold mix of ingredients, yet they’re still fairly neutral and don’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Herbs – Dried thyme and rosemary are used to compliment the aromatics in the cavity of the bird. Even if you’re using this dry brine recipe on steak or chicken, I recommend leaving those herbs in the mix.

Check out more essential cooking recipes that’ll transform your dishes!

• How to Make Buttermilk
• Blackening Seasoning
• How to Make Oat Flour
• Homemade Pumpkin Puree

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