rookie question--why brine?

Unknown

as long as you marinade chicken before firing up the BGE, what exactly is the purpose of "Brining"? If critical, what brine recipes do you recommend? thanks, Mark

Cat

Mark Lewis,[p]
Welcome to the BGE family! Brining is optional, but it does some nice things. First, it flavors the chicken throughout (unlike a marinade, which doesn't penetrate very far): seasonings dissolved in the brine are actually carried inside the meat cell walls. [p]Second, brining makes the meat juicier and provides a buffer against overcooking. A brined bird cooks slightly faster than an unbrined one, but even if left on the fire too long the meat tends to stay moist. [p]My favorite brine is a very simple one: one cup kosher (i.e., non-iodized...this is important) salt and one cup sugar per gallon of water. Dissolve salt & sugar in a little warm water and add the rest cold. Brine should be cold when the bird is added. Refrigerate the bird in its bath for 3-8 hours; rinse well; dry & season as desired. If you use a dry rub, choose one with little or no salt. [p]Try it & see if you like it.[p]Cathy

Tim M

Cat,[p]My wife always brings home these Butter Ball turkey and chickens. She says that they are injected with juices so the brining is not advised for them. Any truth to that? Have you brined those birds before?[p]Tim

Dec

Cat,[p]In regards to brining, I mostly bbq just breasts and thighs, rarely a whole bird. This being the case, how long should I brine for? I never have, but would like to try it this evening.[p]Dec

Unknown

Tim M,[p]They're injected primarily with water & oil, I believe. They always taste a little 'off' to me. Maybe brining would help? I've never tried it. If you do, post the results![p]Cathy

Cat

Dec,[p]I brine chicken parts for 90 minutes.[p]Cathy

YB

celoup@ix.netcom.com,
Cat I have been told that Butter Ball turkeys are injected with liquid butter,if you look under the skin is kind of yellow,but i'm not a 100% sure.
YB

Zip

Tim M,[p]I had a turkey breast that a client gave me last year and brined it. To start with the label said it was injected with up to 8% solution of the total weight. It was ok, but that was about it. It was very saltly to us and that was surprising because it brined only for about 3 hours and was rinsed very well.[p]I stick with the fresh turkeys in the future.[p]Ashley

Anthony Up North

Mark Lewis,[p]The quality of chicken now-a-days is deteriorated. Brining for the reasons Cat gives can add flavor to these kinds of birds.[p]However, if you have access to superior quality chicken (we have here) I have found brining too much effort for the little difference in result. Beer-butt chicken (unbrined) is as good a chicken as I have ever eatten in all my days, and I have eatten a lot of chicken.[p]But I suppose it all comes down to taste. People have and like different tastes, and so they try recipes and methods that fit their pallet.[p]Anthony