Top 10 Turkey Dry Brine Ideas

Written by
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Derrick Riches
Updated 07/06/19
Turkey
Diana Miller/Getty Images

Dry brining is a great alternative to the traditional wet brining. This process doesn't require gallons of water or fruit juice, or whatever liquid is preferred in the more cumbersome wet brining technique. Dry brining a turkey works by coating the turkey in salt. The salt draws out the moisture from the meat. That water combines with the salt and the seasonings, making the brine. Once the salinity of the brine reaches the right concentration, the brine reabsorbs into the meat taking the flavors with it and making the turkey juicy and more flavorful.

To properly dry brine a turkey, make sure that the salt mixture is well combined. We recommend using a mortar and pestle to grind the ingredients together. Evenly distributed over the entire surface, inside and out, of the bird. It is a good idea to get some under the skin as well. Once coated, wrap the turkey in a plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Then refrigerate for about 36 hours, turning over every 12 hours.

  • 01 of 10

    Savory Dry Turkey Brine

    Dried thyme
    Brian Yarvin/ Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (1/4 cup/60 mL kosher salt)
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL sugar
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL dried thyme
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL dried rosemary
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL dried sage
  • 02 of 10

    Orange-Thyme Dry Turkey Brine

    Orange
    Image Source/Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (1/4 cup/60 mL kosher salt)
    • 2 tablespoons/30 mL orange zest
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon/5 mL garlic powder
  • 03 of 10

    Holiday Dry Turkey Brine

    Ground ginger
    Westend61/Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (1/4 cup/60 mL kosher salt)
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon/5 mL black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon/5 mL allspice
    • 1 teaspoon/5 mL ground ginger
  • 04 of 10

    Chile-Lime Turkey Dry Brine

    Lime
    Phillip Hayson/Getty Images
    • 1/4 cup/60 mL table salt (5 tablespoons/75 mL kosher salt)
    • Zest of one lime
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL dried pepper flakes
    • 2 teaspoons/10 mL dried paprika
    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Mushroom Salt Turkey Dry Brine

    Morel mushrooms
    "Nicoloso Loic"/Getty Images
    • 1/4 cup/60 mL kosher salt
    • 1 dried morel mushroom
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL dried thyme
    • 2 teaspoon/10 mL dried juniper berries
    • 1 teaspoon/5 mL dried mustard
  • 06 of 10

    Sage and Garlic Dry Brine

    Garlic
    Tom Cockrem/Getty Images
    • 1/4 cup/60 mL table salt (5 tablespoons/75 mL kosher salt)
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 8 leaves fresh sage, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL white sugar
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground black pepper
  • 07 of 10

    Smoked Turkey Dry Brine

    Dried tarragon
    Michelle Arnold / EyeEm / Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (4 tablespoons/60 mL kosher salt)
    • 2 tablespoons/30 mL dried tarragon
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL white sugar
  • 08 of 10

    Smoked Salt Turkey Dry Brine

    Cumin
    Joff Lee/Getty Images
    • 1/4 tablespoon/60 mL smoked salt
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground cumin
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL white sugar
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground black pepper
    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Apple Spice Turkey Brine

    Apples
    Calin Niculescu / EyeEm / Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (4 tablespoons/60 mL kosher salt)
    • 4 slices dried apple, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground cloves
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground nutmeg
  • 10 of 10

    Lemon and Rosemary Dry Turkey Brine

    Rosemary
    Judith Haeusler/ Getty Images
    • 3 tablespoons/45 mL table salt (4 tablespoons/60 mL kosher salt)
    • Zest of 3 lemons
    • 2 tablespoons/30 mL crushed fresh rosemary needles
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon/15 mL dried thyme