Kittencal's Basic Brown Sugar Brine for Meat and Poultry

Elevate your cooking game with Kittencal's Basic Brown Sugar Brine for Meat and Poultry—a foolproof way to infuse your meats with incredible flavor and juiciness. This simple yet effective brine combines the perfect balance of kosher salt, sweet brown sugar, and aromatic seasonings like garlic, rosemary, and black pepper, with an optional citrus twist from orange or lemon slices. Ideal for chicken, turkey, pork, and even denser cuts, this brine ensures your meat stays tender and moist, whether grilled, roasted, or smoked. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this versatile recipe is a game-changing solution for perfectly seasoned meats every time. Perfect for holiday feasts, special dinners, or your next barbecue, this brine will make your dishes unforgettable.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 0.5 cups kosher salt
• 0.5 cups brown sugar
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon crushed rosemary (or fresh rosemary sprigs)
• 4 slices optional: orange or lemon slices

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, combine 4 cups of water with kosher salt and brown sugar.

Step 2

Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the salt and sugar dissolve completely.

Step 3

Remove the pot from heat and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to cool the mixture down to room temperature.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic, ground black pepper, crushed rosemary, and optional orange or lemon slices.

Step 5

Ensure the brine is completely cool before using it. You may refrigerate it for faster cooling.

Step 6

Place your meat or poultry in a large, leak-proof container or zip-top bag.

Step 7

Pour the brine over the meat, ensuring it is fully submerged. If needed, place a heavy plate over the meat to weigh it down.

Step 8

Refrigerate the meat while brining. Brine times will vary: 30 minutes to 1 hour per pound is typically sufficient for poultry, while denser cuts of meat may require 6 to 12 hours.

Step 9

After brining, remove the meat from the brine and discard the liquid. Rinse the meat thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt.

Step 10

Pat the meat dry with paper towels and proceed with your preferred cooking method.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2187.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	332.1

Total Fat 0.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 53952.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.3g	0%
Total Sugars 74.1g
Protein 1.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 231.0mg	0%
Iron 2.8mg	0%
Potassium 290.9mg	0%

*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: 1.3%

Protein: 1.5%

Carbs: 97.2%