Basic Brine for Smoking Meat

Rating: 4.67 stars
76 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 59
  • 4 star values: 12
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 1

This is a very basic brine recipe for preparing meats and fish for smoking. Add any personal taste preferences to the brine for additional flavor enhancement. I like to add white wine, soy sauce, and various herbs and spices. Anything that you like will work, so experiment at will.

By Smokin' Ron

Gallery
1 more images

Recipe Summary

prep:
10 mins
total:
10 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 quart
Nutrition Info
Advertisement

Ingredients

8
Original recipe yields 8 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the salt, sugar and water. Whisk vigorously until all the salt and sugar is dissolved. Then pour this mixture over the meat, poultry, or fish that you are preparing. Soak for several hours, or overnight. (Note: Make certain the meat is fully submerged in the brine, and make more brine as needed to fully cover the meat.)

    Advertisement

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
26 calories; protein 0g; carbohydrates 6.7g; fat 0g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 2852.1mg. Full Nutrition
Advertisement

Reviews (61)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

BIG MIKE
Rating: 4 stars
02/25/2004
I've been using the basic recipe for over a year now. I make a 2-3 or 4 gallon batch and use a tote bin I got from Wal-Mart. When I smoke I smoke between 4-10 turkeys and various other meats. If you get the turkies split-they brine better, they stack better to utilize the space in the brine and the smoke permeates the birds better. I've added apple juice,hot red pepper,onion soup mix,fresh onion and peppers from the garden,and seasonings like worcestershire sauce,soy,teriacki and jamican jerk to spice up the brine. I like to "pickle" my meats 2-3 days about 38-40 degrees.I also like to inject some of the brine into them. Just lay em on the racks for 8-12 hours depending how hot your smoker is, and your good to go. Slow and low-the best way to go. Share your ideas and recipes here. Keep Smokin Ron! Read More
Helpful
(277)

Most helpful critical review

kelcampbell
Allstar
Rating: 3 stars
02/14/2007
This was a very quick and easy brine to make. I doubled the recipe and used it for a bone-in turkey breast. I brined it for about 32 hours and the end result was a very salty turkey breast. So I will most definitely try this brine again but I will try brining for 12 hours only. Read More
Helpful
(14)
76 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 59
  • 4 star values: 12
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
BIG MIKE
Rating: 4 stars
02/25/2004
I've been using the basic recipe for over a year now. I make a 2-3 or 4 gallon batch and use a tote bin I got from Wal-Mart. When I smoke I smoke between 4-10 turkeys and various other meats. If you get the turkies split-they brine better, they stack better to utilize the space in the brine and the smoke permeates the birds better. I've added apple juice,hot red pepper,onion soup mix,fresh onion and peppers from the garden,and seasonings like worcestershire sauce,soy,teriacki and jamican jerk to spice up the brine. I like to "pickle" my meats 2-3 days about 38-40 degrees.I also like to inject some of the brine into them. Just lay em on the racks for 8-12 hours depending how hot your smoker is, and your good to go. Slow and low-the best way to go. Share your ideas and recipes here. Keep Smokin Ron! Read More
Helpful
(277)
Tom
Rating: 4 stars
01/25/2004
My dad uses this recipe for smoking ribs Read More
Helpful
(127)
Keith Jefferies
Rating: 5 stars
01/25/2004
It did its job! I added rosemary and cajun spices to it and the turkey (applewood-smoked free-range) was phenomenal. Use the recipe on this site that includes cola. It was the best. This brine was very easy to prepare. Although I had to prepare the equivalent of 45 servings to cover a 12 lb turkey. And it was still difficult to cover. But I used an oven bag which added in the process. Read More
Helpful
(115)
Advertisement
bratdowney
Rating: 4 stars
08/19/2005
This was a pretty good brine - it made for a very succulent smoked pulled pork. Read More
Helpful
(48)
ShirleyC.Vanderau
Rating: 5 stars
03/19/2006
Brining your meat is the best way to go. That is the only way you can achieve maximum moisture to the meats. For poultry i like to use citrus fruits in there with garlic sherry wine and soy sauce. Instead of sugar as sweetner try molasses. Wonderfully succulent!!!! It's nice to know that someone else knows how to smoke their meat. S.Vanderau Read More
Helpful
(44)
HOKSHU
Rating: 4 stars
01/25/2004
I have added liquid smoke to my Brine. It seems to enhance the flavor of the hickory smoke. Great recipe. Thanks John Read More
Helpful
(33)
Advertisement
Kelie B.
Rating: 5 stars
01/20/2006
Wonderful way to brine. I tried several recipes over the holidays and my husband loved this recipe. He said the turkey was extremely juicy. Will be cooking with this one again! Thanks! Read More
Helpful
(29)
JAMES NEILL
Rating: 5 stars
02/04/2004
it is real good on turkey add bourbon or apple juice bay leaves or any other spice you like Read More
Helpful
(27)
SONYABOW
Rating: 5 stars
06/17/2006
Awesome especially when used on salmon and cooked on a plank Read More
Helpful
(26)
kelcampbell
Allstar
Rating: 3 stars
02/14/2007
This was a very quick and easy brine to make. I doubled the recipe and used it for a bone-in turkey breast. I brined it for about 32 hours and the end result was a very salty turkey breast. So I will most definitely try this brine again but I will try brining for 12 hours only. Read More
Helpful
(14)
More Reviews
Advertisement
© Copyright 2021 allrecipes.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com 03/09/2021