Master Brine Recipe for Meats

Achieve perfectly tender and flavorful meats every time with this Master Brine Recipe for Meats, your secret weapon for juicy, well-seasoned dishes. This versatile brine combines kosher salt and brown sugar for balanced seasoning, while whole black peppercorns, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and smashed garlic infuse layers of aromatic flavor. Optional lemon slices add a bright, citrusy twist to enhance poultry, pork, or beef. Designed for ease, this recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep and cook time, allowing you to maximize flavor with minimal effort. Whether you're preparing a holiday turkey, a succulent pork loin, or a juicy steak, this brine ensures that every bite is moist and unforgettable. Perfect for home cooks seeking foolproof methods for marinating meats, this recipe is a must-try for all your roasting, grilling, and smoking adventures.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 16 cups Water
• 1 cup Kosher salt
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Whole black peppercorns
• 5 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 leaves Bay leaves
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 lemon Optional: Lemon slices

Directions

Step 1

In a large stockpot, combine the water, kosher salt, and brown sugar.

Step 2

Place the pot over medium heat and stir the mixture until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. This should take about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the pot from heat and add the black peppercorns, fresh thyme, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and optional lemon slices.

Step 4

Allow the brine to cool to room temperature. To speed this up, you can partially fill a large bowl with ice and water, then place the pot in the bowl to chill quickly.

Step 5

Once the brine has cooled, transfer it to a container large enough to hold both the brine and the meat you plan to soak.

Step 6

Submerge your meat completely in the brine and refrigerate. Brine poultry for 12 to 24 hours, pork for 12 to 48 hours, and beef for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the cut and size.

Step 7

Before cooking, remove the meat from the brine and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Pat the meat dry with paper towels.

Step 8

Proceed with your preferred cooking method, and enjoy moist, flavorful results every time!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4294.6 grams (4294.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	346

Total Fat 0.90g	1%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 107527mg	4675%
Total Carbohydrate 90.30g	33%
Dietary Fiber 5.60g	20%
Total Sugars 73.20g
Protein 3.20g	6%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 380mg	29%
Iron 3mg	16%
Potassium 385mg	8%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.1%

Protein: 3.3%

Carbs: 94.5%