Brine Ratio

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

jake628

Fire Starter
Original poster
Aug 31, 2010
31
10
Bellflower, CA
I have read a number of posts regarding brining for poultry and notice the salt to liquid ratio varies immensely.  I want to smoke some chick parts (legs and thighs) but want to brine first.  What should the salt to liquid ratio be?  

I notice for most of whole birds they should be brined over night.  But think just doing pieces would require only a few hours.  How many hours should one brine pieces alone?
 
     1.    What should the salt to liquid ratio be?    

    There are many recipes out there,The thing to remember is that

 the more salt in the brine, the less time you need to brine the poultry.

      2.      How many hours should one brine pieces alone?  

     Here is something I found on this site long ago.

½ chicken= 10 hrs

chicken parts= 1½ hrs

breast=1 hr

Hope this helps 
biggrin.gif
 
My starting guideline is 4 cups water/liquid, 1/3 cup kosher salt, 1/3 cup sugar, and I work from there. Sorry, my brines really vary, so I don't have a consistent rule to give you...
 
     1.    What should the salt to liquid ratio be?    

    There are many recipes out there,The thing to remember is that

 the more salt in the brine, the less time you need to brine the poultry.

      2.      How many hours should one brine pieces alone?  

     Here is something I found on this site long ago.

½ chicken= 10 hrs

chicken parts= 1½ hrs

breast=1 hr

Hope this helps 
biggrin.gif
Raptor many thanks for your post.  That was the best answer to my questions.  Much appreciated.
 
Hey guys need a little advice here if you could.I usually use this stuff called sweeter than sweet to brine my chicken(it is store bought) and I brine overnight with it.But I ran out so I mixed up some slaughter house brine last night.I wasn't thinking and brined it all night as I usually do...10 hours.Do you think these chicken thighs are ruined?Could I soak tem in water to try to pull some saltyness out?Thanks
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't worry about it and smoke them..(done that and it was just fine)

But that's me..

YMMV

  Craig
 
Thanks hope your right.I thought I remember doing ths before but the outcome  wasn't so good.Maybe it was a different brine.Really hate to waste good meat.and don't have anything else thawed out to cook.I guess the smoke will go on!
 
Last edited:
You won't need to soak them.

I brine thighs for 8 hours in that brine & don't rinse them.

We like a salty taste, but if you don't soak them for a couple of hours in water.
 
Chicken turned out awesome guys,thanks for the reassurance.Used a memphis style rub I found on the net with some sweet baby rays.good stuff.Sorry no Q I can't find my cable for my camera to my computer.But thanks again.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Hot Threads

Clicky