Mean Chef's Maple Brine

Elevate your culinary creations with Mean Chef's Maple Brine, a flavorful and aromatic brine designed to infuse meats like turkey, chicken, or pork with incredible moisture and depth. This simple yet sophisticated blend starts with the rich sweetness of pure maple syrup and light brown sugar, perfectly balanced by kosher salt for optimal seasoning. Whole black peppercorns, fragrant herbs like rosemary and thyme, and crushed garlic add layers of earthy, savory complexity, while the inclusion of bay leaves ties it all together with a subtle herbal note. With just 15 minutes of preparation time, this versatile brine ensures your proteins are tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor after a cold soak of 8 to 24 hours. Whether you're prepping for a holiday feast or a casual dinner, this maple-infused brine is your secret weapon for unforgettable meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 10 cups Water
• 1 cup Kosher salt
• 1 cup Maple syrup
• 0.5 cup Light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Whole black peppercorns
• 3 Bay leaves
• 2 Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 4 Fresh thyme sprigs
• 4 Crushed garlic cloves
• 4 cups Ice cubes

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, combine water, kosher salt, maple syrup, and light brown sugar. Stir over medium heat until the salt and sugar dissolve completely, about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil.

Step 2

Once the salt and sugar have dissolved, turn off the heat and add the black peppercorns, bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and garlic.

Step 3

Allow the brine to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. To speed up the cooling process, you can place the pot in an ice bath while stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Once the brine has cooled, add the ice cubes to the mixture to ensure it is completely cold. This step is crucial to prevent partially cooking your protein during the brining process.

Step 5

Place your protein (such as chicken, turkey, or pork) in a large container or resealable bag. Pour the cold maple brine over the meat until fully submerged.

Step 6

Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours, depending on the size and type of protein. For example, a small chicken can brine for 8 hours, while a large turkey may require up to 24 hours.

Step 7

Once brining is complete, remove the protein from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels before cooking. Discard the used brine.

Step 8

Cook your protein as desired to enjoy a moist, flavorful, and delicious dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3999.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1220.3

Total Fat 0.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 107502.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 322.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.0g	0%
Total Sugars 312.0g
Protein 2.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 287.1mg	0%
Iron 2.2mg	0%
Potassium 304.7mg	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: 0.2%

Protein: 0.6%

Carbs: 99.2%