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    Published: Mar 23, 2023 · Modified: Nov 14, 2023 by Danielle · This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

    Quick & Easy Smoked Turkey Breast Brine (FLAVORFUL!)

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    Smoked turkey breast brine with graphic overlay.
    Whole turkey breast brine with graphic overlay.
    Smoked turkey breast brine with graphic overlay.

    This simple, but oh so flavorful, Smoked Turkey Breast Brine is infused with the perfect blend of fruit and spices. It’s the best way to ensure a juicy turkey breast on Thanksgiving or any time of year. Plus it’s easily customizable!

    Container with turkey breast, brine, and fresh herbs.
    Skip to:
    • 🥇 Why it’s great!
    • 🍎 Brine Ingredients
    • ❄️ How to thaw frozen turkey breasts
    • 🥘 How to make smoked turkey breast brine
    • 😋 How to smoke a turkey breast
    • 🍯 Variations (make it your own!)
    • 🙋 Questions and Answers
    • 👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks
    • 📖  Side dishes to serve with smoked turkey breasts
    • 👋🏻 Connect with us!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Is there anything worse than a dry and/or flavorless turkey breast? Nope, and I’m pretty sure no one will argue. All that work only to eat something so unremarkable. No longer, friends!

    The wonderful thing about a brine is that it easily solves both of those problems. The salt in the brine pulls moisture and flavor throughout the white meat. After brining, use whichever you prefer - electric smoker, gas grill, Traeger, or charcoal grill. 

    Feel free to think of smoked turkey breasts outside of Thanksgiving Dinner! We serve this for our Easter menu along with this Glazed Ham in A Roaster. It makes such an easy main dish because the cooking process is relatively hands-off, and smoking the turkey breasts the day before means less work on the day of serving.

    Next time you have a turkey breast to roast, try this turkey breast in an electric roaster. It is a moist and flavorful bird, plus we included a secret for crispy skin!

    🥇 Why it’s great!

    • It is loaded with flavor with very few ingredients.
    • It is quick and easy to make.

    🍎 Brine Ingredients

    Ingredients for smoked turkey breast brine on a counter.
    Four simple ingredients and 5 minutes is all you need to make this flavor-packed brine.

    Note: This smoked turkey brine recipe is enough for one bone-in turkey breast, however it would also brine a boneless turkey breast or a whole turkey that is under 10 pounds.

    Apple juice: Inexpensive apple juice will do the trick here although a good apple cider will impart a bit more flavor.
    Chicken stock: A carton of chicken stock or 4 cups of water mixed with bouillon will help to round out the flavor.
    Montreal Chicken Seasoning: This is not a sponsored post. We just use this brand and love it. If you can’t find it, substitute a brand of poultry seasoning containing similar ingredients.
    Kosher salt: There is some salt in the seasoning mix but a little more will help make sure that the water is salty enough.

    ❄️ How to thaw frozen turkey breasts

    This recipe begins with a thawed turkey breast. According to the USDA it will take 4-5 hours for each pound. For a 10 pound turkey breast that means about 2-3 days.

    If you get in a jam and need to do a quick thaw, fill the kitchen sink or other large vessel with cold water and submerge the turkey breast. The most important part here is to not let the water get too warm. Changing the water every 30 minutes or so to keep the turkey breast cool enough.

    If the breast is just a touch frozen when you are ready to start this recipe, it should thaw while soaking in the brine.

    🥘 How to make smoked turkey breast brine

    Start the brining process with a couple cups of warm water and dissolve the salt. Stir until the salt dissolves. Allow it to cool to room temperature. Add the cooled salt water, chicken stock, apple juice, and seasonings to a large container such as a stock pot, large pot, or 12 quart food storage box (affiliate), and stir thoroughly. A large bowl will probably not be deep enough to submerge the breast. We can't recommend brining bags since we haven't tried them before.

    Place the turkey breast in the mixture. Add cold water until the turkey breast is covered. The exact amount will differ depending on how large the container is and how large the turkey breast is. Brine in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.

    SIde of turkey breast submerged in brine.
    Add just enough water to submerge the turkey breast. Allow the breast to brine for 12-24 hours.

    😋 How to smoke a turkey breast

    Once the turkey has brined for 12-24 hours, remove it from the brine and allow it to drain thoroughly. Then pat dry with paper towels. Discard the used smoked turkey brine.

    Next, set your smoker to 275º. For smoked turkey breast it is best to use apple or cherry wood chunks. Wood chips are too thin. Once the smoker and wood chunks are hot, add the turkey breast to cook.

    The cook time for a turkey breast over indirect heat at 275º will be 3-4 hours. Once the thickest part of the breast registers 165º (minimum internal temperature of the meat according to the USDA) it is time to remove the breast from the smoker. In order to quickly and accurately see at what temperature the turkey breast is, I prefer to use a instant-read meat thermometer or this probe thermometer (affiliate).

    Once it is finished cooking, remove from the smoker and loosely tent with aluminum foil for 20 minutes before slicing. The turkey breast should be perfectly moist and flavorful.

    🍯 Variations (make it your own!)

    This smoked turkey breast brine really is great on it’s own, but it's also a great starting point if you are looking to change it up a bit. Add according to your preferences.

    • Add in a ½-1 cup of brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup for additional sweetness.
    • Add in herbs like bay leaves, fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage.
    • Add in fruit, like sliced apples or oranges.
    • Add in red pepper flakes for heat.
    • Add in fresh aromatics like garlic or onions.

    🙋 Questions and Answers

    Can this be used as a whole turkey brine?

    Absolutely, but you will need to 1.5 or 2x the recipe depending on the size of the turkey. A large turkey will require a double batch.

    Should I rinse the turkey after brining?

    There is no need to rinse the turkey after brining. Just drain it thoroughly.

    How long to let the turkey dry after brining?

    The turkey should be dry before smoking, but still cold. Let it drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Cold meat receives smoke flavor better, so be sure to put the turkey on the smoker while it is still cold.

    Do you have to brine a turkey breast before smoking?

    Turkey breasts do not have to be brined before smoking, but that is the easiest way to create a moist and flavorful end product. I have done it several ways and brining is the best.

    Bright citrus and sweet apple juice in turkey breast brine with fresh herbs.

    👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

    • Be sure to use a very flavorful chicken seasoning. It is going to impart much of the flavor. 
    • The brine solution can be made up to two days ahead and kept in the refrigerator.
    • Turn the turkey breast on it's side in order to use less water while it is brining.  
    • Dry the turkey breast skin thoroughly for a crispy finish.

    📖  Side dishes to serve with smoked turkey breasts

    Whether it is a Thanksgiving turkey or just because, try serving with:

    • Twice Baked Potato Casserole or Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    • Green Beans with Bacon or Easy Green Beans Almondine
    • Autumn Chopped Salad
    • Pineapple Glaze on Ham in a Roaster

    👋🏻 Connect with us!

    If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!

    📋 Recipe

    Turkey breast brine in large pot ready for smoker or roaster.

    Quick & Easy Smoked Turkey Breast Brine (FLAVORFUL!)

    This simple, but oh so flavorful, Smoked Turkey Breast Brine is infused with the perfect blend of fruit and spices. It’s the best way to ensure a juicy turkey breast on Thanksgiving or any time of year. Plus it’s easily customizable!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours hours
    Brining Time: 12 hours hours
    Total Time: 15 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 turkey breast
    Calories: 837kcal
    Author: Borrowed Bites

    Equipment

    • large stock pot or 12 quart food storage container
    • smoker or charcoal grill

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup kosher salt
    • 32 ounce chicken stock
    • 4 cups apple juice
    • ¼ cup Montreal chicken seasoning
    • 1 turkey breast thawed, preferable bone-in
    • fresh fruit slices and fresh herbs optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Dissolve ¼ cup of kosher salt in 2 cups of warm water. Set aside to cool.
      ¼ cup kosher salt
    • Add cooled water, chicken stock, apple juice, and chicken seasoning to large stock pot or 12 quart food storage container. Stir in any of the variation ingredients if using. Stir thoroughly.
      32 ounce chicken stock, 4 cups apple juice, ¼ cup Montreal chicken seasoning, fresh fruit slices and fresh herbs
    • Place the turkey breast in the container. Add water until the turkey breast is just covered.
      1 turkey breast
    • Refrigerate for 12-14 hours.
    • Smoke over indirect heat at 275° for 3-4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165° according to your smokers directions. Apple or cherry wood are great for this recipe.
    • Remove from smoker and tent loosely with foil for 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
    • We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks
    • Be sure to use a very flavorful chicken seasoning. It is going to impart much of the flavor. 
    • The brine can be made up to two days ahead and kept in the refrigerator.
    • Turn the turkey breast on it's side in order to use less water while it is brining.  
     
    Variations
    • Add in a ½-1 cup of brown sugar, or honey, or maple syrup for additional sweetness.
    • Add in herbs like bay leaves, fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage.
    • Add in fruit, like sliced apples or oranges.
    • Add in red pepper flakes for heat.
    • Add in fresh aromatics like garlic or onions.
     
    Make-Ahead
    The brine can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. 

    Add Your Own Notes

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    Nutrition

    Serving: 1recipe of brine | Calories: 837kcal | Carbohydrates: 156g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 29635mg | Potassium: 2080mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 110g | Vitamin A: 498IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 298mg | Iron: 10mg

    All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a rating or pin it for later!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lizzie says

      November 10, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      For added smokiness, I put about a 1/2 tsp liquid smoke in the brine. Not too smoky, but just right. Your point about the bird being cold and dry is essential.

      Reply
      • Misty says

        November 11, 2021 at 5:01 pm

        Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 23, 2022 at 2:48 am

        Has anyone tried using this as a brine for an oven cooked turkey?

        Reply
        • Danielle says

          November 23, 2022 at 6:04 am

          Just in case no one else jumps in, this brine is great for oven baked turkey. My preference is for smoked turkey but this brine will impart flavor and moistness no matter how you cook your turkey. As with all brines, be sure to drain the turkey really well and dry the skin with paper towels. That will help ensure a crisp skin. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

          Reply

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    Hi! We are Danielle and Misty: a mom and daughter with a serious passion for seeking out the best recipes to serve again and again to those we love. With a mix of everyday favorites and indulgent weekend fare there is something here for you and yours as you develop your own family traditions.

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