Brine Concentrate

Unknown

All, [p]While cleaning out/organizing the freezers I found a quart of brine concentrate that was made back in Novemeber. I wasn't sure if it was still good, so I used it to make a batch for testing. The quart was to be added to seven quarts of water to make two gallons of brine for a turkey. I used about a 1/4 cup of the mixture and added 1 3/4 cups of ice cold water to it to make two cups of brine for some chicken pieces. It mixed very well, just like Kool-Aid. Let them brine for about four hours and cooked them over a 350° fire until up to temperature. This worked out pretty good and could not tell that the brine was old. [p]
I guess that from what I've learned, you can make a brine concentrate and freeze it. Then just mix it as you need it. It didn't freeze completly, so it was easy to use.[p]Ashley

Char-Woody

Ashley, I see no reason why not!! Salt is a preservative and should keep quite a while. The only caution IMO is to discard any used brine.
I might try that and make up mine ahead of time. Saves cooling down time. Thank's.
C~W

Unknown

Char Woody,[p]
As you said "The only caution IMO is to discard any used brine", this is a must. I have seen folks try to boil it and save it, this would be a definate no-no.[p]Ashley [p]

mollyshark

Ashley,What do you put in brine "concentrate" proportion-wise to do this?

Unknown

mollyShark,[p]I believe it is as follows.[p]1 1/4 cups of Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups of Demerara sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 Tbls apple pie spices
1 Tbls poultry seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 Tbls pickling spice
1 Tbls corriander
1 Tbls onion powder
1 Tbls garlic powder[p]Place ingredients in big measuring bowl and add enough water to make five cups. Place in pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. This will reduce down to about a quart. I put mine in a quart Gatoraid bottle. This was originally to make two gallons of brine, so use a formula of seven to one. A 1/4 cup of mix to 1 3/4 water for two cups, one quart of mix to seven quarts of water for two gallons.[p]This will probably work with any brine recipe. Just take the ingredients and put in a measuring bowl and add just enough water to make five cups and simmer down until you have four cups. If you make a concentrate for a one gallon batch, just use a ratio of three parts water to one part mix.[p]I hope this helps and works for you.[p]Ashley [p]