Mighty Fine Turkey Brine

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Ingredients

  • 5 cups water, divided

  • 1 cup salt

  • 1 gallon water

  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

  • 2 quarts apple juice (not from concentrate)

  • 1 pint whiskey (such as Jack Daniel's®)

  • 1 lemon, juiced

  • 1 large Gala apple, quartered and chopped

  • 1 navel orange, quartered, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until salt is dissolved, about 3 minutes.

  2. Pour water and salt mixture into a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 gallon of water.

  3. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pour into the bucket.

  4. Stir apple juice, whiskey, and lemon juice into the bucket. Add chopped apple. Squeeze in orange juice and add in rinds.