Turkey Brining Question?

Grillmagic

I have read on this forum to NOT brine a turkey that has been injected which I have done in the past and I am not sure if it enhanced the turkey at all, I have deep fried turkeys and used my Ron Popeel Showtime rotisserie and of course the oven on turkeys and they have always tasted great and this year I want to spatchcock  one on my XL. The problem I am having is every turkey including Honeysuckle, Butterball, Kroger and Sam's membersmark turkeys have all been injected with up to 8% solution to keep it moist (that's what it says on the package, to keep it moist)  I have been brining injected turkeys for 10 years and it wasn't until I found this forum that I wasn't suppose to brine them. What's the Gospel on this! I called the Butterball hotline and the told me brining was not necessary.

Chuck

www.chuckkingcomedy.com  

Terrebandit

I am confused like you. All we will get here is an opinion poll.

Skiddymarker

Don't think there is a set rule or law of the bird. Brining adds moisture to the meat, most meat processors simply take this inexpensive easy step to add weight and profit to the final product. You certainly can brine an already brined/injected bird, the question is does it really make any difference? I don't think so, any additional flavour and moisture due to your brining will be insignificant.

If you are going to spatch a turkey, I suggest a better step is to ice the breasts before the cook. 

CANMAN1976

Skiddymarker said:

Don't think there is a set rule or law of the bird. Brining adds moisture to the meat, most meat processors simply take this inexpensive easy step to add weight and profit to the final product. You certainly can brine an already brined/injected bird, the question is does it really make any difference? I don't think so, any additional flavour and moisture due to your brining will be insignificant.

If you are going to spatch a turkey, I suggest a better step is to ice the breasts before the cook.

Hey Skiddy, I thought the rule was to ice breasts on a whole bird but because a spatched bird cooks so evenly  icing wasn't necessary for those???

Jamie.

Terrebandit

Today, I bought me one of those HEB Natural turkeys. Nothing added - no hormones-never frozen-grain fed- pure as the wind driven snow. Gonna brine this dude.

RRP

It's a personal thing and just like you I have brined injected turkeys for years. The Food Police haven't arrested me yet!

rholt

I say brine. It will definitely improve your final product. Just cut the salt a little bit.