Apple Spiced Tea Brine

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarse salt or pickling salt
• 1 lb brown sugar
• 4 oolong tea bags
• 2 quarts apple juice
• 1 inch ginger, sliced lenghtwise
• 10 whole allspice
• 10 peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 fresh sage leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 10 garlic cloves
• 4 quarts cold water

Directions

1. 1

   In a very large pot (big enough to hold turkey) bring all the brine ingredients but turkey to boil then lower heat to simmer for 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Remove tea bags.

3. 3

   Cool.

4. 4

   Add washed and towel dried turkey to apple mixture and cover with ice cold water making sure turkey is completely submerged adding more water if needed.

5. 5

   Refrigerate for 10 to 15 hours just so the turkey absorbs the brine.

6. 6

   Remove turkey from brine discard brine and rinse turkey towel dry inside and out.

7. 7

   Proceed with grilling, frying, roasting your turkey just remember brined foods will cook quicker!