Do I need to brine a frozen turkey that contains a brine solution

[clifish]

First off thanks to TulsaJeff for starting this sub forum.

My question is, should I still brine the frozen turkey that says it contains a brine solution? I usually use Oakridge BBQ brine when I do other poultry.

Second question is it safe to use a lowes 5 gallon bucket to do the brine or does it need a liner? I will be starting the brine here in NY then transporting it to PA for the smoke.

thx

 

[TulsaJeff]

There may be some differing opinions on this.. I always brine turkeys even if they've already been brined.

Here's my thinking.. I've eaten a LOT of unburned turkeys that are already injected and never once have I ever thought they were salty or had them end up as juicy as they do when I brine them.

Why?

It' s my opinion that the process they use at the factory, is quick and inferior to what you can do at home.

I've never regretted brining the turkey.. I have had some regret when I did not brine the turkey especially where the lean breast meat is concerned.

Regarding the Lowes buckets.. probably not food grade although I haven't checked.

I have used them back in the day but I try to use food grade containers now and recommend that since I know that bad plastic can put a lot of Phthalates in your food.. nasty stuff that you don't want to eat.

If you can find some food grade liners, that would make the Lowes bucket okay.

 

[clifish]

Thanks Jeff, that is what I will do.

 

[chopsaw]

Cliff I do the same . I inject and soak over night . It's going to hold around 10% either way , and like Jeff said most or at least some of what was done at the factory has leached into the bag . Plus , if you do it you get your flavor profile to replace what was already done . I never add any surface salt after the fact . Also agree that I've never had one that was to salty .

 

[chopsaw]

I've linked this before , but since it came up I'll add it here too .
I use the " code 2 HDPE " buckets . I have the dedicated briner buckets also .

Food Grade Plastic: What's Safe & What's Not - OMICO Plastics, Inc.

This blog post contains information on food grade plastic, including what is safe and what's not.

omicoplastics.com

 

[Steve H]

Yup. I'll still brine with the flavors of my choice.

 

[clifish]

I've linked this before , but since it came up I'll add it here too .
I use the " code 2 HDPE " buckets . I have the dedicated briner buckets also .

Food Grade Plastic: What's Safe & What's Not - OMICO Plastics, Inc.

This blog post contains information on food grade plastic, including what is safe and what's not.

omicoplastics.com

Thanks, I am ordering food grade liners for the brine. Don't need extra buckets lying around.

 

[gmc2003]

I guess I'm the oddball here. I don't brine frozen turkeys. I will inject them with the broth made from the gizzard bag but that's about it.

Chris

 

[Colin1230]

I was needing a food grade bucket years ago for brining a Thanksgiving turkey. I asked the gals at the deli dept. at our local grocery and they were happy to give me a 5 gallon food grade pickle bucket. I still have it and keep it for just that occasion.
It fits great in this Igloo Ice Cube cooler and stays in the garage while brining. I can't spare the refrigerator space for a 5 gallon bucket. Hope this helps Cliff.

 

[clifish]

I was needing a food grade bucket years ago for brining a Thanksgiving turkey. I asked the gals at the deli dept. at our local grocery and they were happy to give me a 5 gallon food grade pickle bucket. I still have it and keep it for just that occasion.
It fits great in this Igloo Ice Cube cooler and stays in the garage while brining. I can't spare the refrigerator space for a 5 gallon bucket. Hope this helps Cliff.

View attachment 647307

Thanks, I will ask. I bet the fast food restaurants have them as well.

 

[Kevin DeShazo]

We brine our turkey every year, most turkeys have some sort of salt brine in them. So we look for the ones thag have lowest salt content.

Most big name birds are in the 15-17% salt solution, I think we end up with a store brand bird that is closer to 7-9% salt solution. We will also adjust the amount of salt in the brine to accomdate for what is already in the bird

 

[normanaj]

I can only add that I also brine at home regardless.

 

[SmokinAl]

I use the 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags for brining. They fit into just about any space or container, and do brine my turkeys now. Used to buy Butterball & just inject. But found better results with Publix turkeys & my own brine.
Al

 

[chp]

I was going to suggest pickle buckets as well. We do some gardening with a local CSA and have stacks of those pickle buckets for harvesting. Our grocery store deli has been happy to give them away.

 

[civilsmoker]

Thanks, I am ordering food grade liners for the brine. Don't need extra buckets lying around.

I use brine bags all the time for turkeys and I do brine mine. FYI if you don’t have room in the fridge putting the brine bag in a smaller cooler with crushed ice around it works nicely.

Ps edit the brine bag and cooler with ice….perfect for the driving to PA for the smoke….

 

[cptnding]

If you have a Firehouse Subs shop in your area they sell the empty pickle buckets for $3 and all proceeds go to a charity for firemen.

 

[Kevin DeShazo]

We use unscented trash bags to brine our turkeys in, one trash bag inside the other and put the whole thing in a cooler and cover with ice a day or two before I smoke it

 

[calicat]

I have some food grade beer brew buckets that should work nicely. Albeit they are large.

 

[BigW.]

AskUSDA

I have used trash bags in the past, especially for deer. Now I would only use food safe plastic bags.

 

[Steve H]

If you have a Firehouse Subs shop in your area they sell the empty pickle buckets for $3 and all proceeds go to a charity for firemen.

That is very cool of them. And they do make a really decent sub too.