Why Brining Keeps Turkey and Other Meat So Moist

4thIDvet · 11-05-2017, 05:51 AM

A food scientist explains how a soak in a salt solution makes lean meat, like turkey, juicier and more flavorful

Brining enhances juiciness in several ways. First of all, muscle fibers simply absorb liquid during the brining period. Some of this liquid gets lost during cooking, but since the meat is in a sense more juicy at the start of cooking, it ends up juicier. We can verify that brined meat and fish absorb liquid by weighing them before and after brining. Brined meats typically weigh six to eight percent more than they did before brining—clear proof of the water uptake.

http://www.finecooking.com/article/w...-meat-so-moist

Think I will brine this years turkey and use Jack Daniel's to baste it. Flambé your Jack Daniel's to get out the alcohol before basting. Add a bit of honey or maple syrup to your basting liquid.
Rinse the turkey well after brining then dry it well. Rub turkey with butter cook at 500 degrees for 10 minutes to brown then down to 350 degs. till internal temp reaches 165 degs. minimum.
The lower the temp. you cook at takes longer time but reduces shrinkage. Just get that internal temp. to 165 degs.

44044 · 11-05-2017, 07:46 AM

I might just have to go to 4th's house

for Thanksgiving dinner this year...

I'll bring the dressing Sir

4thIDvet · 11-05-2017, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44044

I might just have to go to 4th's house

for Thanksgiving dinner this year...

I'll bring the dressing Sir

Just bring some of your nurses and I will supply the food and drink.

44044 · 11-05-2017, 11:06 AM

The Head Nurses?

4thIDvet · 11-05-2017, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44044

The Head Nurses?

All of them..

44044 · 11-05-2017, 11:36 AM

...

RetVet · 11-05-2017, 02:31 PM

I take it this salt solution is not the same as curing salt. Meat rubbed down with it tend to expell water, not absorb it.

Sanders · 11-05-2017, 08:49 PM

I smoked a pork butt today after brining it for 20 hours in an apple juice based brine.

It didn't turn out quite right, but tasted good. It was windy as hell and I couldn't keep my smoker's temperature right - even with a blazing fire in the fire box.

cerberus · 11-06-2017, 12:19 AM

OK MasterChefs, a question; I used to brine all the time. Not for the last several years though. The last time I brined, that bird was salty as all getout and just about inedible.
Any ideas what happened?
cerberus
PS. venison, hawg, pheasant and quail I soak for 24 hours in milk.

4thIDvet · 11-06-2017, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetVet

I take it this salt solution is not the same as curing salt. Meat rubbed down with it tend to expell water, not absorb it.

No that would be like a Virginia ham or curing and hanging meat I would guess RetVet? Rubbing salt on the exterior to expel moisture and keep away bacteria and spoilage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerberus

OK MasterChefs, a question; I used to brine all the time. Not for the last several years though. The last time I brined, that bird was salty as all getout and just about inedible.
Any ideas what happened?
cerberus
PS. venison, hawg, pheasant and quail I soak for 24 hours in milk.

cerebus I really don't know as this will be new to me I never tried it? I would guess you used a bit to much salt to water for your brine?
Did you rinse the bird very well when done brining?

11-05-2017, 05:51 AM	#1
4thIDvet slug Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Astor Florida Posts: 48,408	Why Brining Keeps Turkey and Other Meat So Moist A food scientist explains how a soak in a salt solution makes lean meat, like turkey, juicier and more flavorful Brining enhances juiciness in several ways. First of all, muscle fibers simply absorb liquid during the brining period. Some of this liquid gets lost during cooking, but since the meat is in a sense more juicy at the start of cooking, it ends up juicier. We can verify that brined meat and fish absorb liquid by weighing them before and after brining. Brined meats typically weigh six to eight percent more than they did before brining—clear proof of the water uptake. http://www.finecooking.com/article/w...-meat-so-moist Think I will brine this years turkey and use Jack Daniel's to baste it. Flambé your Jack Daniel's to get out the alcohol before basting. Add a bit of honey or maple syrup to your basting liquid. Rinse the turkey well after brining then dry it well. Rub turkey with butter cook at 500 degrees for 10 minutes to brown then down to 350 degs. till internal temp reaches 165 degs. minimum. The lower the temp. you cook at takes longer time but reduces shrinkage. Just get that internal temp. to 165 degs. __________________ God Bless Americas Veterans. All who are serving and have served.

11-05-2017, 11:36 AM	#6
44044 slug Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: swampeastmissouri Posts: 50,930	......

11-05-2017, 02:31 PM	#7
RetVet Statistical Error Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 43,653	I take it this salt solution is not the same as curing salt. Meat rubbed down with it tend to expell water, not absorb it. __________________ ^^^ For entertainment purposes. Use only as directed. ^^^ III

11-05-2017, 08:49 PM	#8
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 66,460	I smoked a pork butt today after brining it for 20 hours in an apple juice based brine. It didn't turn out quite right, but tasted good. It was windy as hell and I couldn't keep my smoker's temperature right - even with a blazing fire in the fire box. __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

11-05-2017, 07:46 AM	#2
44044 slug Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: swampeastmissouri Posts: 50,930	I might just have to go to 4th's house for Thanksgiving dinner this year... I'll bring the dressing Sir

11-05-2017, 11:06 AM	#4
44044 slug Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: swampeastmissouri Posts: 50,930	The Head Nurses?

11-06-2017, 12:19 AM	#9
cerberus Dud Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,507	OK MasterChefs, a question; I used to brine all the time. Not for the last several years though. The last time I brined, that bird was salty as all getout and just about inedible. Any ideas what happened? cerberus PS. venison, hawg, pheasant and quail I soak for 24 hours in milk.