Brined Grilled Turkey Breast

Name: Brined Grilled Turkey Breast
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 2 quarts cold water, divided; 1/2 cup kosher salt; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns; 1 boneless skinless turkey breast half (2 to 3 pounds); BASTING SAUCE:; 1/4 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup sesame oil; 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons honey; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

You'll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering, slightly sweet turkey! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

2 quarts cold water, divided
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
1 boneless skinless turkey breast half (2 to 3 pounds)
BASTING SAUCE:
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine 1 quart water, salt, brown sugar and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the remaining cold water to cool the brine to room temperature.
Place a large resealable plastic bag inside a second plastic bag; add turkey breast. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a pan. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Meanwhile, combine basting sauce ingredients. Place turkey over drip pan and grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 170°, basting occasionally with sauce. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

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

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked turkey: 364 calories, 19g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 553mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 38g protein.

Originally published as Brined Grilled Turkey Breast in Taste of Home October/November 2009

Reviews

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Average Rating:

gooch621

Dec 25, 2015

Moist, perfectly seasoned!
STLMarmi

Sep 27, 2015

This is amazing! And, easy, too. The entire family thought this was super moist & delicious. We put the turkey breast in an aluminum pan & covered with foil before placing on the grill, easy cleanup & recyclable aluminum. This will be made often.
tiajbkuntz

Dec 3, 2011

This was the first time I brined a turkey breast or anything! It was super moist and very tastey! I did not grill it but I did put it in a turkey baking bag. Everyone loved it and said we should do this to all of our turkeys. Will be brining again in the future!
gardeninggirl1951

Nov 23, 2010

Should have added that when I make it in the oven I leave about an inch of the brine in the dutch oven, then baste as usual. I cover it if it seems to get too brown. Cooked for the time recommended on the package for breast or whole turkey.
gardeninggirl1951

Nov 22, 2010

I have made this recipe many times. It is absolutely the best recipe that I have ever made with turkey. Sometimes I have made it in the oven, too. Always juicy and delicious.
gardeninggirl1951

Apr 1, 2010

This is delicious. I put it on the rotisserie since it was too cold to grill out. Turned out great and have made it several times. Plan on doing a whole turkey with recipe for Easter.