Home > Recipes > Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey

Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Producing a juicy amber-colored turkey infused with flavor is possible with this apple juice-based brine. You won't regret planning for the long marinating time. This uncommonly tasty turkey is worth every minute. —Trudy Williams, Shannonville, Ontario

[X]

Rate Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Click on stars to rate

Would you make this recipe again?

Write a review

[X]

Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Prep: 30 min. + marinating Grill: 3 hours + standing

Yield: 12-14 Servings

30 180 210

Ingredients

2 quarts unsweetened apple juice
2-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup kosher salt
4 ounces fresh gingerroot, peeled and thinly sliced
15 whole cloves
6 garlic cloves, crushed
3 bay leaves
3 medium oranges, quartered
3 quarts cold water
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

In a large kettle, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in oranges. Remove from the heat. Add cold water to cool the marinade to room temperature.
Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled marinade into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan or other large container. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, turning occasionally.
Prepare grill for indirect heat. Drain and discard brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Rub oil over skin. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together.
Place breast side up on a rack in a disposable foil roasting pan. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1-1/2 hours. Tent turkey with foil; grill 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180°. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes before carving. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Editor’s Note: This recipe was tested with Morton brand kosher salt. It is best not to use a prebasted turkey for this recipe.

Nutritional Facts 8 ounces cooked turkey equals 559 calories, 27 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 245 mg cholesterol, 475 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 72 g protein.

Originally published as Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey in Taste of Home October/November 2008, p78

Medium-Bodied White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a medium-bodied white wine such as Riesling or Gewürtztraminer

More recipes like this:

Recipe Slideshows

Browse slideshows featuring our best recipes, holiday ideas, easy how-tos, cooking tips, and more!

Get Recipes >

Top 10 Recipes

A collection of our favorite, highest-rated recipes—including the best dessert, dinner and holiday recipes.

Get Recipes >

Reviews for Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey

Grilled Apple-Brined Turkey

Tell us what you think of this recipe.
Did you modify it? Would you make it again? Rate it today! >

Rate and Review this Recipe

(1-3) of 3 reviews

Sort Reviews:

Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2011 by vickyc603

I just want to make sure readers are aware that you need to use a food-grade plastic container to brine your turkey, for safety reasons. Alos, you can find turkey-sized oven bags (Reynolds makes one) and set that in your bucket before pouring the brine over your turkey. Then tie in a knot.

Reviewed on Nov. 28, 2011 by kristinscotth

I've used this brine recipe for the past 3 years for our Thanksgiving turkey. I only follow the brining portion of the recipe, since we don't grill our turkey. I always like getting the biggest turkey possible, and this year's was 24 lbs. I made 1 1/2 batches of the brine, which was the perfect amount for this size turkey. I also learned some tips on brining by watching some videos online from Alton Brown (Food Network), which I thought were helpful. He said you could make the brine in advance, so I made the brine on Monday, and stored it in the fridge. All of the brine fit into my rectangular Rubbermaid container (holds 40 cups), and it was nice getting that task done in advance. He also suggested brining your turkey in a bucket, and since I always have a large turkey, this was very helpful for me. He said with all the salt in the brine, you don't have to worry about bacteria growing, and you don't have to store your turkey in the fridge. It's fine brining the turkey in the bucket and putting it in a cool place in your house or your garage (if it's cold outside). I just bought an unused bucket that will now be used only for brining. I highly recommend this brine recipe. Our turkeys have been SO juicy and flavorful since we started brining them. We have noticed that our brined turkeys DO take less time to roast in the oven.

Reviewed on Nov. 17, 2011 by dhillaw57

Wonderful flavor! This will be a tradition!