Dry Brined Turkey Recipe (2024)

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Published: Aug 1, 2023 Modified: Jan 19, 2024 by Isabel Laessig

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Easily dry brine a turkey using this Dry Brined Turkey Recipe! Dry brining a turkey elevates the flavor of the meat and crisps the skin to perfection. This is the perfect dry brine for smoking a turkey, roasting, or any cooking method you like! Ready in minutes following simple steps.

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Dry Brine Turkey
Dry Turkey Brine Ingredients
How to Dry Brine a Turkey
Brine Recipe for Turkey Tips
Dry Brined Turkey Recipe FAQs
Turkey Brine Recipe Variations
Turkey Recipes
Turkey Seasonings
📋 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Dry Brine Turkey

Dry brining a turkey is a great way to bring out the best flavors of the meat and is much easier than a regular brine as it doesn’t use any liquid. All you need is salt, pepper, and dried minced garlic!

I love pairing this dry brine for turkey with smoked, roasted, and grilled turkey… you name it! It’s easy to make and use – follow my simple steps for how to dry brine turkey, and when it’s time to cook, you’ll have the perfect holiday dinner.

If you’re planning on smoking a turkey this year, you need to try this dry brine recipe. Trust me!

Dry Turkey Brine Ingredients

Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Dried minced garlic

How to Dry Brine a Turkey

Pat turkey dry and prepare it as you usually would, removing any unnecessary parts such as the neck, giblets, etc, and place it on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. For this recipe, I’m spatchco*cking a turkey.
Spray the turkey all over with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix dried minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
Coat the turkey all over with the dry brine seasoning. Make sure to coat all parts of the turkey, including under the skin where possible.
Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
Cook turkey according to your favorite method for cooking turkey, and enjoy!

Brine Recipe for Turkey Tips

If you have the time, let the turkey dry brine for 48 hours for a deeper flavor profile.
I like to rub the cavity of the turkey.
You can use other seasonings in this dry brine turkey recipe, such as poultry seasoning. However, you cannot remove the salt – the most essential part of the dry brine.
Dry brining works for every method of cooking turkey. This makes a great turkey brine for smoking!
See my guide on Seasoning with Salt for tips on what types of salt to use and when!
Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh. Allowing it to rest brings it to the proper temperature. Refer to my Turkey Temperature Chart for perfectly juicy turkey.
If you are defrosting your turkey, please refer to my step-by-step guide to defrosting turkeys perfectly.
Don’t forget the turkey gravy! It’s perfect for keeping the turkey moist.

Dry Brined Turkey Recipe FAQs

Do you rinse a dry-brined turkey?

You should not rinse a turkey after dry brining. You should never rinse the turkey, not before or after brining. Rinsing a turkey will not wash away bacteria and can transfer it to other surfaces, so don’t rinse your turkey. Source:

How long should you dry brine turkey?

You can dry brine turkey anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours. Dry brine at least 24 hours for the best flavor.

Is wet or dry brining turkey better?

Dry brining a turkey imparts more flavor to the meat than a wet brine. Although a wet brine might seem to make the turkey juicier, that juice won’t have the same flavor as dry brining would give the turkey. Basically, dry brining turkey will give you a better-tasting bird.

Turkey Brine Recipe Variations

You can always have fun with fresh herbs and spices when making a brine. Use your favorite flavors and have fun.

Thyme
Lemon Zest
Citrus Zest
Rosemary

Turkey Recipes

Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Thanksgiving Turkey
Cajun Turkey
Grilled Turkey
Deep Fried Turkey
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Boneless Turkey Breast
Sous Vide Turkey

Follow my Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Tips for a stress-free meal.

Turkey Seasonings

Butter Injection for Turkey
Garlic Butter Recipe
Turkey Rub
Compound Butter for Turkey

📋 Recipe

Dry Brined Turkey Recipe

Isabel Laessig

Easily dry brine a turkey for roasting or smoking using this Dry Turkey Brine recipe! Dry brining a turkey elevates the flavor of the meat and crisps the skin to perfection.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe

Equipment

1 Small bowl for mixing seasoning

Ingredients

½ Cup
¼ Cup
¼ Cup Dried Minced Garlic
Butter Flavored Nonstick Cooking Spray

Cooking Conversions

See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

Instructions

Pat turkey dry and prepare it as you usually would, removing any unnecessary parts such as the neck, giblets, etc. For this recipe, I’m spatchco*cking a turkey. See my spatchco*ck turkey recipe for details.
Spray the turkey all over with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix dried minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
½ Cup Salt, ¼ Cup Pepper, ¼ Cup Dried Minced Garlic, Butter Flavored Nonstick Cooking Spray
Coat the turkey all over with the dry brine seasoning. Make sure to coat all parts of the turkey, including under the skin where possible.
Wrap the turkey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours (up to 72 hours).
To cook the turkey, follow any of my turkey recipes. For a classic roast turkey, see my Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe.

Notes

If you have the time, let the turkey dry brine for 48 hours for an even deeper flavor profile.
You can use other seasonings in this dry brine turkey recipe if you like, such as a poultry seasoning. However, you cannot leave out the salt – this is the most essential part of the dry brine.
Dry brining works for every method of cooking turkey. This makes a great turkey brine for smoking!

Nutrition

Serving: 1enough for 1 whole turkeyCalories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 56634mgPotassium: 1503mgFiber: 20gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 324IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 344mgIron: 10mg

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About Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!