Turkey is an unquestioned staple of the Thanksgiving holiday in America, but from a cooking standpoint, it’s an easy thing to get wrong.
Dryness and blandness are two of the most common maladies to be mindful of when preparing a turkey. Thankfully, a good brine can help prevent both.
The culinary experts at Hormel Foods are unveiling a pair of unique, savory brine recipes — one wet and one dry — to help consumers deliver a moist, flavorful bird to the dinner table this holiday season.
Chef Barry Greenberg, culinary team lead at Hormel Foods, developed these two original brine concepts for consumers to consider: a char siu wet brine, and a rosemary garlic and citrus dry brine.
Whether dry or wet, a good brine is all about salt, which keeps the meat tender during the cooking process and allows it to absorb more water and reduce the amount of liquid that is lost.
With that in mind, try these original brining techniques from Hormel Foods for a fresh culinary approach to a holiday classic.
Char Siu Wet Brine
Greenberg’s wet-brine recipe incorporates an Asian flavor profile that is rapidly growing in popularity: char siu.
A Cantonese barbecue concept typically reserved for pork dishes, char siu can be a tantalizing option for turkeys, too.
Greenberg is encouraging consumers to apply the familiar flavor of a sweet barbecue sauce in a new and exciting, culturally inspired way.
After mixing all brine ingredients together, rub thoroughly onto a Jennie-O® Tender & Juicy Young Turkey Breast, place it in a large zip-top bag and let marinate in a refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours before roasting.
Rosemary Garlic and Citrus Dry Brine
This recipe offers a Mediterranean twist on turkey.
While containing more classic ingredients like garlic and rosemary, Greenberg also calls for the zest and juice of two lemons and two oranges.
After preparing the garlic and rosemary, combine them with the citrus elements as well as salt, sugar and pepper before applying the mixture to a Jennie-O® Fresh All Natural Young Turkey.
Another chef tip from Greenberg: Use leftover rosemary-infused oil in your roux to thicken your turkey gravy.
Try Both!
Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for consumers to venture beyond their typical turkey plan, especially if they’re expecting guests. But there’s an easy solution to that.
For more recipes from Hormel Foods and its family of brands, visit hormelfoods.com/recipes.
For Jennie-O® product information, additional recipes and where to buy, visit jennieo.com.