Pork or Poultry Brine

A perfect brine recipe for large amounts of meat such as pork butt or shoulder, several racks of pork ribs, chicken, or turkey.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• water, as needed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 small onions, sliced
• 1 ½ cups kosher salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped

Steps

1. Fill a large pot with water to about 3/4-full; add carrots, celery, onions, kosher salt, brown sugar, lemon slices, bell pepper, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer mixture for 10 minutes.
2. Let the brine cool at room temperature for 10 minutes before refrigerating to chill completely, at least 1 hour more.
3. Strain brine into a separate food-safe container.