Apple Wine Turkey Brine
Brine:
¾ gallon water
2 cups LaBelle Winery Dry Apple
or Heirloom Apple Wine
1 ½ cups orange juice
1 cup salt
1 cup light brown sugar
¼ cup chopped or 2 tsp dried ground ginger
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
3 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried thyme
Turkey:
1 (12-pound) whole turkey (or 2, 6 pound breasts)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Combine all brining ingredients in a large non-reactive container (a stockpot is perfect, or large ziploc baggie) and stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. Rinse turkey well under cold water. Place the turkey in the brine, cover, and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the turkey from brine and discard brine. Place the turkey, breast side up, in roasting pan and pat dry. Rub the turkey with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Roast the turkey as directed, or use the LaBelle Winery Apple Wine Cranberry Glazed Turkey recipe.